The legendary tennis player disclosed that she his ‘evolving away from tennis’.
American tennis player Serena Williams has announced her upcoming retirement from tennis, admitting that she was ‘getting close to the light at the end of the tunnel’.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles winner announced this after she defeated Nuria Parrizas at the National Bank Open in Toronto. That was her second appearance of the year.
According to her, the time to finally put an end to an illustrious career is coming soon.
“I have never liked the word retirement,” she told Vogue. “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.
“I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis. It’s like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist.”
Williams was defeated by Harmony Tan at Wimbledon earlier this summer, but she admits she has her sights set on the US Open which could be her farewell tournament.
“Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year,” she added.
“And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun.
“I know there’s a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say, ‘See ya!’ I get that. It’s a good fantasy.
“But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.”
Williams is regarded by some as the GOAT (greatest of all time) of female tennis, having 23 Grand Slam titles to her name. She is only one shy of the legendary Margaret Court, who has 24 titles to her name.
The 40-year-old won her last Grand Slam title in 2017.
