Serena Williams is celebrated in a new advert narrated by Beyonce

Superstars Serena Williams and Beyonce have teamed up in a new commercial to celebrate the 23-time Grand Slam winner.

Williams takes to the court at the US Open tonight when she faces world No. 80 Danka Kovinic on Arthur Ashe in the evening session, the standout tie in the first day of the Grand Slam.

The 40-year-old announced she’s ‘evolving’ from tennis earlier this month, meaning the tournament at Flushing Meadows is set to be her last.

Ahead of her swansong, American beverage company Gatorade released an advert paying tribute to Williams. The advert, narrated by Beyonce, was revealed at the MTV VMAs last night.

‘When the world writes her down in history, we’ll begin where she started,’ the music icon begins. ‘At love. A love that started a movement. A movement to always love exactly who you are.

‘To be so in love with your identity that your very essence cannot be obtained,’ followed by a scram of ‘C’mon’ by Williams during one of her matches.

Serena Williams (L) and Beyonce (R) have teamed up in new advert to celebrate the tennis star

American beverage company Gatorade released an advert Sunday paying tribute to Williams 

Commercial switches between actresses and clips of Serena as a child and her in action

‘To love the sound of your own voice and the way you move. To cherish every muscle and every curve your body exhibits.’

The advert switches between actresses and a montage of Serena as a child and her in action on court. 

‘To feel like a queen unapologetically with a crown indefinitely,’ Beyonce continues.

The US Open will pay tribute to Serena Williams on Monday, whether she wins or loses

Williams is expected to retire from tennis after the US Open, which begins today

‘To always love being a proud, black woman. A parent, a dreamer, to always love being you. The whole you, the real you, to always love – you.’

Williams called time on her career, announcing her decision in next month’s Vogue, although a firm date on when she will go has not been confirmed. 

The news came after the American superstar recorded her first win in 430 days but she said in the article: ‘It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.’

Williams is not using the word ‘retirement.’ ‘I have never liked the word,’ Williams wrote in the latest issue of Vogue. 

‘It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people.

Serena Williams announced her imminent retirement, in part, because she wants to spend more time with daughter Olympia (right), in next month’s Vogue

Danka Kovinic will oppose Williams in what could be the American’s final singles match

‘Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution,’ she continued. ‘I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.’

Williams not only wants to spend more time with her husband, Alexis, and their five-year-old, Olympia, but the multiple-time champion revealed that the couple is trying to have another child in the near future. 

‘In the last year, Alexis and I have been trying to have another child, and we recently got some information from my doctor that put my mind at ease and made me feel that whenever we’re ready, we can add to our family,’ Williams wrote. ‘I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete. I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.’

Whatever the result on Monday night, the US Open will put on a farewell ceremony as she brings the curtain down on her glittering career.

The new commercial, narrated by Beyonce, was revealed at the MTV VMAs last night

Williams pictured in action at the US Open in 2000 against Nicole Prat at Flushing Meadows

She is expected to retire after her home major, meaning tonight’s match could feasibly be her last in singles competition if she were to lose. 

The 23,800 sell-out crowd will watch on after her match as US tennis pays tribute to her stunning career, according to the New York Post.

The publication adds that Williams will have around 100 guests on hand, comprising of family and friends, to watch her in action.

Williams heads into Monday’s match with a 1-3 record since returning to action at Wimbledon earlier this year.

She was beaten by defending US Open champion Emma Raducanu at the Cincinnati Open earlier in August but even for Williams now, her tie with Kovinic is a winnable one.

The 27-year-old from Montenegro heads into the Williams showdown in a five-match losing streak.

But even if Williams loses Monday, there will be one other opportunity to see her on the court as she is also competing in the doubles alongside her sister, Venus.

Gatorade posted alongside the advert on social media: ‘Where does @SerenaWilliams’ legacy start? At love. Serena started a movement – to realize that you can do anything When you love what makes you you. This is a film for Serena, with [red love heart].’