One of the most celebrated tennis stars in the world Serena Williams made the entire tennis community and fans go into a frenzy when earlier last year she announced her retirement from professional tennis. Her retirement announcement came before her final professional and competitive tennis appearance under the WTA in the Flushing Meadows showdown.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was in mere tears when she bid farewell to the sport and the fans who’ve supported and celebrated her victories, helping her stay afloat through thick and thin. Despite her absence from the WTA tour, the 41-year-old has hinted and insinuated her possible return to tennis on multiple occasions and says she has not retired from tennis!
Serena Williams’ farewell to tennis
Dubbed ‘The King of WTA’ Serena Williams has come a long way to attain the stardom and fabulous career record at which she currently stands at. Back in 2017, Williams gave birth to her daughter Olympia Ohanian shortly after she got married to her current husband Alexis Ohanian. In an interview with GQ, Serena delegated what made her drive the decision to halt her professional tennis appearance.
“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.”
“Don’t get me wrong: I love being a woman, and I loved every second of being pregnant with Olympia. I was one of those annoying women who adored being pregnant and was working until the day I had to report to the hospital, although things got super complicated on the other side. And I almost did do the impossible: A lot of people don’t realize that I was two months pregnant when I won the Australian Open in 2017. But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give,” quoted Williams.
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Apart from making a huge name for herself, the only achievement left for the American legend was to overtake Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, which despite her efforts, went in vain.
Serena Williams quotes her shortcomings as mere evolution and retirement
The American icon while expressing and describing what life holds for her ahead of quitting tennis stated that she has not retired from tennis and feels like she can make a comeback taking a further shot at the sport soon. However, her statements have never seen the light of day as she remains to stay absent from the touring scene since her last appearance at the US Open.
“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. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”
Overall Williams’ retirement has served her in ways every successful tennis player’s life off-court should be. The 41-year-old now enjoys spending time with her family, traveling across the globe, and making hefty and lovable memories with them.
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