Tennis icon Serena Williams, owner of 23 major titles, will step away from the sport after this year’s U.S. Open, per a feature in Vogue.
Williams announced the decision on Tuesday morning in her latest feature piece for Vogue Magazine.
“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,” she said. “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. 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.”
As much as Williams may not want to use the word ‘retirement’, she most definitely is taking a step back from the game she loves, and for good reason.
Serena Williams retirement: Fans celebrate an icon
At 40 years old, Williams has earned her stripes and then some. She goes down as the best women’s tennis player of all-time, and perhaps the most influential athlete in the sport’s long history.
https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1556998112996200449
We are so lucky to have gotten to watch Serena Williams’ career https://t.co/IAMQvhHyTb
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/FOS/status/1556997791003672576
BREAKING: Serena Williams plans to retire from tennis after the U.S. Open.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 9, 2022
“It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine…I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time, I’m ready for what’s next.”
The absolute GOAT. pic.twitter.com/UFC9yOQSe7
Whatever is next for Serena, she will be great at it. And that should come as no surprise to those who know her best.
https://twitter.com/SABC_Sport/status/1556999169004523520
The Serena Williams era will continue long after she retires. Her victories(and losses) will still be replayed for years. The new champs won’t be able to escape comparisons to her.
— Andrew Atkinson (@atkinsonfasho) August 9, 2022
Serena Williams will remain present long after she’s gone.
https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/1556998915026817025
Serena Williams retirement a huge moment. For me the best female athlete of all time. Sweeping success over an extend d period. Game changing performer who defined an era. Amazing.
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) August 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/RelevantTennis/status/1556992311619362819
It’s the end of an era in tennis, but this is not the last we’ll see of Serena around the game.
Expect this summer’s U.S. Open to be must-see television. Could Williams make magic happen at her home major? Going out on top would be so Serena.