After 27 years -Serena Williams, the 41 years old legendary tennis professional has said farewell to tennis. The decision came with great sadness but her exit will be remembered as one of the most significant moments on the court.
When you hear woman’s tennis, the name Serena Williams will immediately pop into your mind and that will never change.
@serenawilliams/Instagram
Williams closed her championship-filled career after playing her final match which marked the ending of her extraordinary role in the sport.
Although she lost the game at Arthur Ashe Stadium to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović she expressed immense gratitude towards her family in the interview after the game, especially her sister.
The stand-out moment in the interview after the match when she thanked her sister Venus Willians. She spoke to her sister in the audience and said: “I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus, so thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed.”
The decision to move on from her career didn’t come easy. “There is no happiness in this topic for me. I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain. It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it.”
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Her last match began with a video tribute narrated by Oprah Winfrey and in a goosebump moment “the greatest of all time” echoed over the loudspeaker as Williams stepped out onto the court. The spectators relished in cheers.
@serenawilliams/Instagram
Serena’s final match also shone the spotlight on her family. Family holds a special place for the tennis pro, who has often noted that her family has been alongside her from day one as her father trained his daughters.
Serena’s entire life has been about tennis and started playing tennis with the goal of winning the U.S Open. Initially, she didn’t think beyond that but just kept winning (she’s the holder of 23 Grand Slam Championship wins) and even in the most trying conditions including her pregnancy.
Though Serena has juggled the balance between family and work life, at this stage in her life, she’s said that: “If I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter.”
This is certainly an end of an era for woman’s tennis and Serena will be remembered for all her achievements including 23 Grand Slam Championship wins.
After the match Williams said, “It’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on in my life, and I’m just so grateful to every single person that has ever said ‘Go Serena!’ in my life because yeah, you got me here!”
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Tearing up, she added that they were “happy tears” toward her evolution, not retirement as she’s been firm in explaining.
Serena’s been praised for the perspective she’s taken in moving on from her sporting career and has been open and honest about her feelings towards it.
She says: “I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way.” Between a rock and a hard place, she added that she’s still ready for what’s next.
@serenawilliams/Instagram
Serena compares tennis to a sacrifice that she didn’t mind making but says: “The fact is that nothing is a sacrifice for me when it comes to Olympia”, her 5-year-old daughter.
Serena Williams leaves a legacy to women athletes but like many, she doesn’t like goodbyes. She leaves with the following heartfelt statement:
“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.”
@serenawilliams/Instagram
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