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Serena Williams, a tennis legend, declared that after the 2022 US Open, she would “evolve away from tennis” in order to devote more time to other commitments. Williams stated in an interview with Vogue that she would still try her utmost to win the tournament but that she is now willing to go in a different way; it might be her last event.
With the caption “Serena’s Farewell… I’m terrible at goodbyes,” Vogue released a shot of the 23-time grand slam champion. Williams later shared this on her Instagram account with the remark, “There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction.”
The tennis legend said, “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.”
Williams announced her graceful retirement from the sport after winning a singles match at the Canadian Open in Toronto. Four hundred thirty days had passed since her last victory.
Williams played in Wimbledon in June after a brief break, but she was defeated by Frenchwoman Harmony Tan. Then she announced that she would participate in the US Open, which kicks off on August 29.
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In an interview with the press, Williams said: “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.”
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try,” the athlete added.
The tennis career of Williams
Since making her debut in 1995, Williams has positioned herself as one of the most formidable women in tennis. Her sister, Venus’s assistance supports the expansion of her influence and fame. Along with Williams, the latter also achieved grand slam victories in a number of tennis singles and doubles competitions.
In her career, William has won 73 singles trophies, 23 doubles titles, and two mixed doubles titles. Thirty-nine of the titles are grand slams, with 23 events accounting for the singles tournaments, doubles competitions for 12, and mixed doubles events for the remaining two grand slams. Margaret Court, an Australian tennis star, and Williams are separated by just one grand slam.
“I should have had it, really, I should — I’ve had many opportunities to have it. But I’m not giving up, to answer your question,” answered Williams after interviewers asked her if she wanted to best Court’s record.
“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,” she said.
Williams has also amassed $94.5 million in career prize money together with the achievement of 4 Olympic gold medals. This represents more prize money than any other female athlete in the field.
“I get asked about it a lot, and I never know exactly what to say. But I’d like to think that thanks to the opportunities afforded to me, women athletes feel that they can be themselves on the Court. They can play with aggression and pump their fists. They can be strong yet beautiful. They can wear what they want and say what they want and kick butt and be proud of it all.
“Over the years, I hope that people come to think of me as symbolizing something bigger than tennis,” concluded Williams.
Source: CNN
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