Serena Williams shocked the tennis community today by stating that she will be quitting the sport soon. The 23-time Grand Slam winner made it obvious that her final match would take place before the year’s end, albeit she did not specify which tournament it would be.
The American is participating in the Canadian Open right now and has already advanced to round two. In the midst of all that, the former World No. 1 announced her intention to hang up her racket in an exclusive interview with Vogue magazine. Where she provided specifics of the reasons for her choice.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion provided an explanation for her choice in a cover article for Vogue that was released on Tuesday. Even though she was getting close to 41, “something had to give,” she admitted that she didn’t want to pick between her work and having additional kids.
Williams did not provide a timeline for her formal retirement. She implied that she will participate in the US Open, which will begin in New York City later this month.
Serena Williams claims that if she were a man, she wouldn’t be retiring
“I don’t think it’s fair,” Serena Williams said. “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 labour of expanding our family. Maybe I’d be more of a Tom Brady if I had that opportunity.”
“Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year,” she said. “And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try.”
After having their daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, in 2017, Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, have been attempting to have a second child for the past year, she revealed.
Williams also intends to concentrate on her venture capital company. Serena Ventures, which primarily backs businesses founded by women and people of color, after tennis.
Also read: Serena Williams Net Worth 2022, Prize Money, Endorsements, Cars, Houses, Properties, Etc
Serena Williams journey throughout 22 years
Surprisingly, Serena made her retirement announcement just one day after she triumphed in her first singles match in more than a year—430 days, to be exact. She recently lost to France’s Harmony Tan after making a one-year absence from competition. She made hints that she would compete in the US Open, which begins on August 29.
When Serena was in top shape throughout her incredible career, she exuded sheer power. Williams has won 73 singles matches, 23 doubles matches, and two mixed doubles matches in his career.
She has won 23 singles titles, 14 doubles titles, and two mixed doubles wins out of her 39 Grand Slam trophies. She needs just one more Grand Slam victory to surpass Margaret Court of Australia’s all-time record.
More than any other female athlete, the four-time Olympic gold champion for the US has earned nearly $94.5 million from tennis in her career prize money. 2017 saw her capture her final Grand Slam. Serena became engaged to Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit. In 2016 and gave birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
Williams still has a chance to match Margaret Court’s feat of winning 24 Grand Slam tournaments
Serena Williams holds the record for most Major victories in the Open Era with her 23 Grand Slam titles. The Australian, who has won 24 Grand Slams in the Open and Amateur Era, is ahead of her in the all-time standings.
The 41-year-old will have one final opportunity to catch up to Court at the US Open at the end of the month. The American’s path through the competition will be more difficult than most because she is unseeded. But she will be sufficiently driven to succeed at Flushing Meadows.
To prepare for that, the former World No. 1 will play as many matches as she can. In order to improve her chances of succeeding in Cincinnati the next week as well as the Canadian Open this week.
Also read: Serena Williams Husband Alexis Ohanian’s Age, Height, Bio, Kids, Instagram, Love Story, Net Worth
