Serena Williams Announces Retirement From Tennis Following U.S Open 2022 : I Never Wanted To Have To Choose Between Tennis & A Family

Serena Williams Announces Retirement From Tennis Following U.S Open 2022 : I Never Wanted To Have To Choose Between Tennis & A Family 

Serena Williams is in love with tennis, but has goals on expanding her family.

In a recent cover story, tennis legend Serena Williams revealed she will be retiring sometime after the United States Open tennis competition. Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam champion, shared that her life is evolving and she’s focused on other things. Serena said:

“I have never liked the word retirement. 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. Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution.”

The 40-year-old continued:

“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.”

She added:

But I’ve been reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I have to move on from playing tennis. 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. The only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist!”

She admitted:

“One thing I’m not going to do is sugarcoat this. I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way.” 

Serena has been playing tennis since she was three years old. She looked up to her sister, tennis legend, Venus Williams, throughout her career. Serena stated that retirement makes people happy but this is a depressing stage in her life as she leaves her first love behind to expand her family. She admitted to constantly hearing her four and a half year old daughter, Olympia, asking to be a “big sister” when she grows up. Serena said:

“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. I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete. I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.”

Serena Williams & Olympia

Serena talked about walking away from her legacy:

“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.”

What are your thoughts on Serena Williams’ upcoming retirement? Tell us in the comments below. 

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