Serena Williams Annouces Retirement
Yesterday, the 23-time Grand Slam winner, Serena Williams, announced her retirement from the game in a personal essay. In a tell-all with Vogue, Williams revealed that the next U.S. Open, taking place August 29th-September 11th of this year, will be her last time on the court.
In her personal essay she opened up about wanting to grow her family. Williams begins her essay by recounting a story where her almost five-year-old daughter Olympia wishes to be a big sister one day. Consequently, relaying the fact that if she were a man, she would never have had to make this choice between tennis and her family. Stating “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 takes a good portion of her essay to reflect on women’s roles in life and in the work force. She mentions attending a meeting at JP Morgan Chase where she learned less than two percent of the capital earned went to women. She goes on to praise her sister, Venus, for being the reason she has been so successful. Williams also reflected on the women who played the game of tennis. Specifically calling on Billie Jean King due to her role in pioneering gender equality in sports. While also praising Margaret Court’s 24-time Grand Slam record that Williams has yet to tie or pass. Additionally, she relays the great pressure she puts on herself when it comes to perfection, which she knows does not exist, but she never stops aiming for it.
It seems while Williams loves the game of tennis, she cannot compare that to the love she has for her family. Moreover, she and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, received good news from their doctor in relation to the extension of their family. Later revealing she doesn’t want to be pregnant while also being an athlete. For this, Williams believes it is her time, in the dislike of the word retire, but to “evolve away from tennis, toward other things that are important to [her].”
Be sure to check out Williams final time on the court at the 2022 U.S. Open starting August 29th.
To read Serena Williams full personal essay with Vogue visit https://www.vogue.com/article/serena-williams-retirement-in-her-own-words.