They essentially are the patsies in a grander scheme, and almost villainized for simply standing in the way of the historic storyline so many are coming to see.

Serena Williams’ opponents have not — and clearly will not — have the throngs at Arthur Ashe Stadium on their side for however long the retiring legend lasts at her final U.S. Open. Especially now that one final lengthy run appears increasingly possible following her first two victories on the tournament’s signature court, with the women’s draw already claiming several top players and potential opponents in her quest for an elusive record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title.

Judging by the numerous awful and often vile comments on the bottom of every story that we post about Serena on our website, there clearly are plenty of people rooting against her, too, whether it be due to her past blowups at officials, upstaging Naomi Osaka’s victory here in 2018, or for other more despicable reasons.

Still, that keyboard-warrior vitriol isn’t translating at all to the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, at least as evidenced by the crowd reaction throughout Serena’s first two victories this week against Danka Kovinic on Monday and Wednesday’s three-set takedown of second-seeded Anett Kontaveit.