Serena Williams On Her Retirement: “I’m Evolving Away From Tennis.”

Serena Williams announces her retirement from the pro-tennis circuit, citing that she was “evolving towards other things that were important to her”.

23-Grand Slam title winner Serena Williams announced her retirement via an editorial shoot and article on Vogue. Although one win short of tennis player Margaret Court’s record, many fans still consider her a GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in women’s tennis. “I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair,” writes Serena. “But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”

Serena Williams: “…this has felt like a moment I need to listen very carefully to.”

According to Serena Williams, she often heard her daughter, Olympia, wish to be a big sister. “Olympia says this a lot. Sometimes, she even prays to Jehovah to give her a younger sister. I’m the youngest of five sisters myself, and my sisters are my heroes.”

She was left to choose between two things she loved: tennis and her daughter’s wish. “If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family,” she opens up.

However, talking about her retirement from tennis left a bad taste in Serena William’s mouth. “I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis. It’s like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist,” she reveals. “I have never liked the word retirement.“

A Mom’s Bittersweet Evolution Away From Tennis

Serena Williams hanging up her racket to focus on being a mom and running Serena Ventures is something she felt both scared and ready for. “I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next,” shares Williams.

“I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst. But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words. You have carried me to so many wins and so many trophies. I’m going to miss that version of me, that girl who played tennis. And I’m going to miss you.”

Serena Williams made her mark in the tennis world for her aggressive baseline plays with shots that cracked as loud as shotguns. She was also seeded once as No.1 in the Women’s Pro Tennis Circuit on June 21, 2010. She currently has an 85% win rate of 192 wins to 34 losses.

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