Serena Williams has announced that she will be hanging up her tennis racket for good.
In an editorial piece she has written for Vogue magazine, Williams documents the reason she has come to this point in her life where she will be walking away from the beloved sport citing this she never wanted to choose between her family and the sport.
“Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family,” she wrote. “If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s retirement isn’t immediate. She went on to say in her article that she is hopeful to play at the US Open in New York later this month.
“Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win in New York. But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun.”
She added, “But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst. But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words. You have carried me to so many wins and so many trophies. I’m going to miss that version of me, that girl who played tennis. And I’m going to miss you.”
We wish Serena Williams the best of luck in her future endeavors.