Queens, New York – Winning 23 Grand Slam titles throughout her impressive career, Serena Williams is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time. She is a legend to not only other tennis players but women around the world with an impressive career that has spanned over four decades. This morning, Williams announced that following this year’s U.S. Open in Queens, New York, she will be retiring from the world of tennis.
In a piece the tennis icon wrote for Vogue, Williams said that after the tournament ends this summer, she will “evolve away from tennis.”
“I’ve been reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I have to move on from playing tennis,” Williams said in her piece. The Grand Slam queen says that she will be redirecting her attention to her venture capital fund Serena Ventures, and growing her family.
Williams shared that her daughter Olympia, who turns five this year and is an only child, often says that she wants to be an older sister.
“Sometimes before bed, she prays to Jehovah to bring her a baby sister. (She doesn’t want anything to do with a boy!) I’m the youngest of five sisters myself, and my sisters are my heroes, so this has felt like a moment I need to listen very carefully to,” Williams wrote in the piece for Vogue, adding that she feels if she were a man she would not have to make the choice between her career and having more children.
“Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair. 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. Maybe I’d be more of a Tom Brady if I had that opportunity,” Williams explained.
Online many people are expressing their support for the tennis GOAT.
“I’m sooo torn up over this. I’ve watched Serena since she turned pro. Not seeing her in a major tournament will be hard. Yet I know Serena has nothing left to prove. She has [been] the best of her generation. Her legacy is sealed. Cheering her on no matter what she evolves to,” said one person.
“The woman is 41 years old now. She’s done it all. Time to move on and thank you Jesus she has so much to look forward to in life. My girl is blessed and highly favored and I could not be happier for her,” tweeted another.
“Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I’m so proud of you Serena, calling your own shots & doing it YOUR WAY… it’s your life, everyone is just a squirrel trying to get a nut in it! God bless you & I look forward to watching you succeed in the next chapter of your life and your babygirls!” said a third.
Williams has a whopping 23 Grand Slam titles under her belt and has been competing in the world of professional tennis since she was a teenager. She began playing tennis when she was only three years old and won her first Grand Slam title when she was just 17.
