Serena Wiliams lost in the third round of the U.S. Open to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovićwith three sets of games 7-5, 6-7, 6-1 on the scoreline. Following the loss, the Michigan-born tennis star signaled her retirement after an illustrious 27-year career with 73 WTA Tour titles
When asked about her plans after tennis, Williams said that she was excited to face her future. Most of all, she also plans to spend more time with her daughter Olympia.
“I’m ready to, like, be a mom, explore a different version of Serena,” she said on Sports Illustrated. “Technically in the world I’m still super young, so I want to have a little bit of a life while I’m still walking.”
After 27 years, Serena's career comes to a close 🙏
🐐 4x Olympic gold 🥇
🐐 23 Grand Slam singles titles
🐐 14 Grand Slam doubles titles
🐐 Only tennis player to achieve the career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles
🐐 Joint longest run as the No. 1-ranked female player pic.twitter.com/7eTARuiP05— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 3, 2022
Williams was actually sending hints to the public about her retirement. In her first-person point-of-view essay in Vogue, she said that she would evolve into something different than “Serena Williams the tennis player.”
“Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution,” she wrote. “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.
A few years ago I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family.”
Furthermore, Williams admitted that her decision to stop playing tennis was not easy, trying to keep it out of the conversations with her closest relatives.
Williams started her pro career in 1995, she has 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, including the joint record with Chris Evert for six U.S. Open titles.
“But I’ve been reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I have to move on from playing tennis,” she said.
“Alexis, my husband, and I have hardly talked about it; it’s like a taboo topic. I can’t even have this conversation with my mom and dad. It’s like it’s not real until you say it out loud. It comes up, I get an uncomfortable lump in my throat, and I start to cry.”
Supports from fellow sporting figures
Williams’ retirement attracts attention from fellow top athletes who give her support, including the 20 Grand Slam titles holder Roger Federer and former world No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods.
“Hey Serena, it’s Roger here,” he said on a video posted by the ATP Tour on Twitter. “I wanted to congratulate you for a most incredible career. You know what you have achieved. I know what you have done and you know what it is, it’s just beyond incredible. It’s probably with mixed feelings that you’re leaving this wonderful sport that has given you everything and more.
Federer later added that Williams was a huge figure in world tennis. He said that her retirement was sad news for tennis fans around the world.
“I wish you all the best with your family,” he added. “All the best to your fans who I’m sure are going to miss you very dearly, and I am one of them.”
Meanwhile, Woods took to Twitter to voice his support for Williams, emphasizing that she has been an inspiration to many.
“@serenawilliams you’re literally the greatest on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring all of us to pursue our dreams. I love you little sis!!!!!!” Woods said on Twitter.