Yesterday she returned to success in a match on the WTA circuit after more than a year. Her victory in the first round of the “National Bank Open”, a WTA 1000 tournament staged on Toronto concrete, has “re-entered” her supporters. Today, however, the 40-year-old Serena Williams, through Instagram, immediately “killed” the fans. In a post, in fact, the American, former number one in world women’s tennis, explained that she will soon retire from competitive activity.
“There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That moment is always difficult when you love something so much. My God, I love tennis. But now the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, on my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different but simply exciting Serena. I will enjoy these next few weeks, ”wrote Serena Williams, hinting that she will soon be leaving the international racket circus, probably after the US Open.
“I never liked the word retreat,” wrote so Vogue. “I don’t hear a modern word. I have been thinking about an evolution, but I want to be sensitive about how I use this word, which means something very specific and important for a community. Trust me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and family. I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a boy I wouldn’t have to write this, because I would be out there playing and winning while my wife did the physical work of expanding the family. Maybe I would be more of a Tom Brady if I had the opportunity. Don’t get me wrong: I love being a woman and I loved every second of Olympia’s pregnancy. I was one of those boring women who love to be pregnant and work until the day they go to the hospital, even though things got very complicated on the other side. And I almost did the impossible: many did not realize that I was two months pregnant when I won the Australian Open in 2017. But this month I am 41 years old and I have to give something ”.
The little Olympia, born at the end of August five years ago, made a big impression: “She is about to turn 5, we were in the car and we were going to get her a new passport before a trip to Europe. She was using an educational app on my phone and her robotic voice asked her: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’. She doesn’t know I’m listening to her, but I can hear her whispered answer on the phone: ‘I want to be an older sister’ ”. Paradoxically, however, it is not a prospect she likes to talk about at the moment: “I’m reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I’m about to stop playing tennis” and “it’s like it’s not true until you say it out loud. “. She explains that she talked to the therapist about it: “I know that many are happy and are looking forward to retiring, and I would like to feel that way. Ashleigh Barty was world number one when she said stop in March. Caroline Wozniacki was relieved when she did it in 2020. Praise them, but to be honest, there is no joy in this subject for me. “
There is no real end date, official, of the career, but the US Open in its ideal and in that of all seems to be the right and final stage. The home Slam, the public, an extremely special occasion to be able to say hello as you wish. A privilege that not everyone has had. Already this year she seemed to disappear until 10 days before Wimbledon. After having stood still for 12 months, with the 41 candles now approaching, there seems to be no other way. And leaving as a 23-time Grand Slam champion (save for a movie finale) and undisputed legend of sport and global culture is even greater.
Serena Williams announces retirement: farewell to the US Open • Ok Tennis