Serena Williams has blazed a trail that saw her not only become one of the greatest tennis players of all time but one of the greatest sporting icons of all time.
However, as the age-old adage goes, all good things come to an end.
And this time, it’s Williams calling time on her career.
For, moments ago in a brand new cover feature for Vogue’s September issue, the 40-year-old announced her plans to retire from tennis in the next few weeks.
Full story below…
Sharing the cover (the long version of which features her daughter Olympia), Williams (who is a 23-time Grand Slam winner) said:
“There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks. 🥰”
It’s expected that her farewell will be at the US Open later this month.
Within the feature, she expanded:
“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.
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. 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.”
Serena will unquestionably go down as one of the best to ever do it. An actual icon!
Your thoughts?
[Photo Credit: Vogue]
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