After receiving a warm round of applause from a Flushing Meadows crowd still buzzing from her first-round victory, Williams remained on the court for a special post-match celebration recognizing the tennis icon’s 20-plus years of excellence.

Veteran CBS anchor Gayle King took to the microphone to begin the festivities and introduced the iconic Billie Jean King who offered her thoughts on Williams’s wide-reaching impact as both an athlete and cultural figure.

“You are fearless,” King said. “I love it. And you hate to lose, it is great. You’ve touched our hearts and minds to be our authentic self, to use our voices, to dream big. Thank you for your leadership, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, especially for women and women of color.