Serena Williams has mentioned she is “evolving away from tennis” and is seeking to “grow her family” as she introduced plans to retire.
And it seems that the US Open – starting in New York on 29 August – could also be her final match.
Family is clearly a serious consideration because the winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles ponders her future.
Her daughter, Olympia, needs to “be a big sister”, she writes in Vogue journal.
Williams says she “never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family”, including: “I don’t think it’s fair.”
She explains: “If I had been a man, I would not be penning this as a result of I’d be on the market taking part in and successful whereas my spouse was doing the bodily labour of increasing our household.
“But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”
Illustrating her considering course of, she provides: “I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me.
“Maybe one of the best phrase to explain what I’m as much as is evolution. I’m right here to let you know that I’m evolving away from tennis, towards different issues which can be essential to me.”
She continues: “I do not need it to be over, however on the similar time I’m prepared for what’s subsequent.
“I started a family. I want to grow that family.”
Williams says retirement has been a tough matter to barter, writing: “I’ve been reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I have to move on from playing tennis.
“Alexis, my husband, and I’ve hardly talked about it; it is like a taboo matter. I can not even have this dialog with my mother and pop. It’s prefer it’s not actual till you say it out loud.
“It comes up, I get an uncomfortable lump in my throat, and I start to cry.”
Source: information.sky.com”