American tennis great Serena Williams, holder of 23 Grand Slam titles, announced in a letter published in Vogue that she was ready to step away from professional tennis in the coming weeks, with the possibility of that moment arriving after the US Open.
During this phase of competition, the star explained that she does not like the term withdrawal and instead describes her path as a transition or evolution toward other priorities that matter deeply now.
At forty-one, Williams conveyed that she had evolved from tennis to other pursuits that hold greater significance in her life. Among the reasons she cited is the longing to become a mother, a facet of life she now considers central to her journey.
Williams has a daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., who was born on September 1, 2017, after a challenging birth marked by a pulmonary embolism. In a candid reflection, she shared that Olympia hopes for a sister and often prays at night for one, illustrating the personal joys that accompany her family life.
When speaking about competing at the Toronto Masters, she added that if the situation were reversed and she were a man, the letter might not have been necessary. She suggested she would be enjoying matches and successes while her partner handled the family-building duties. She emphasized how much she loves being a wife and cherished Olympia’s pregnancy, expressing pride in the family moments that come with her career.
She also noted that unlike some athletes who retire at the moment they feel their time has ended, stepping away from competition did not bring her personal satisfaction or joy. The decision carried a sense of pain because it required balancing professional ambitions with private life and the wish to remain present for her family.
Speaking about her identity as a competitor, she affirmed a lifelong passion: winning, competing, and entertaining. She sustained that the thrill of performing for fans remains a powerful force, one that continues to drive her as a performer who thrives on the weekly stage and the energy of crowds.
While she did not specify a final retirement date at the US Open, she indicated that she intends to pursue the tournament with vigor and that a formal farewell on the court would not be her preference. The plan is to compete in New York starting August 29, with the hope of achieving strong results and finishing on her own terms rather than with a dramatic last act.
In closing, she expressed deep gratitude to supporters, acknowledging the fans who have stood by her throughout a remarkable career. She thanked them for the encouragement and recalled the triumphs and memories that defined her time on court, noting how those moments will be missed as she moves forward in life beyond tennis.
Serena Williams began her professional journey at the age of 14 and has cemented her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Her career started in 1995, and she is the sister of Venus Williams, a formidable player in her own right. Williams captured her first major singles title at the US Open in 1999 and would go on to win Roland Garros in 2002 with a decisive victory over her sister, followed by Wimbledon glory in the same year. Across her career, she added seven Australian Open titles, seven Wimbledon trophies, six US Open crowns, and three Roland Garros championships, a record of achievement that has left an indelible mark on the game.