Serena Williams Shocks the World by Announcing Her Retirement

Serena Williams, one of the world’s best Women’s Tennis players, has just announced her retirement from the sport.

On August 9, Vogue released its September 2022 issue, with Williams gracing the front cover. In the issue was a piece written by Williams announcing her retirement in her own way.

In Vogue’s September issue, @serenawilliams prepares to say farewell to tennis on her own terms and in her own words. “It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine,” she says. “I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next” https://t.co/6Zr0UXVTH1 pic.twitter.com/YtGtcc18a9

— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) August 9, 2022

The cover features Williams wearing a gorgeous baby blue dress striking a powerful pose. A few short feet from her stands her four-year-old daughter, Olympia, covering her face with the gown’s long train. The piece titled “Serena Williams Says Farewell to Tennis On Her Own Terms — And In Her Own Words” allows Williams the opportunity to announce to the rest of the tennis scene, fans, and the world her decision to retire from the sport she loves.

In the piece, Williams writes, “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” Williams continues on by stating how her passions have changed from evolving her tennis career to focusing on her family.

Williams divulges, “A few years ago I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family.”

Williams first had her daughter Olympia nearly five years ago on September 1, 2017. Olympia’s birth was just two months before the star married her now-husband, Alexis Ohanian.

Over her career, Williams has been nothing less than stellar. Racking up title wins such as a total of 23 Grand Slam Singles awards, Williams has been known to revolutionize the sport. Outside of the court, Williams has earned awards like Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award, Best Female Athlete Espy Award, People’s Choice Award for Favorite Game Changer, and BET Award for Sportswoman of the Year, just to name a few. Williams was also named on the Time 100 Women of the Year list in 2020.

In her piece with Vogue, the athlete reminisces about her time in the sport. She comments, “Some of the happiest times in my life were spent waiting in that hallway in Melbourne, and walking out into Rod Laver Arena with my earphones in and trying to stay focused and drown out the noise but still feeling the energy of the crowd. Night matches in Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows. Hitting an ace on set point.”

These memories made her decision to retire much harder. Williams even states that she hates the term retirement. She states, “I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution.”

Williams is looking forward to her evolution outside of tennis, leaving behind the world she once knew and entering a brand new one. Some may say this marks a season of change for the former tennis player. Throughout the years, her collection of trophies, awards, and stunning moments has only grown. However, she now desires to turn it all in to focus on her growing family.

Williams tells Vogue, “But these days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter.”

Williams finds herself ready to embark on a new journey. While saying goodbye to the sport she dedicated her life to and the legacy she leaves behind will be complicated and bittersweet, she believes it to be for the best. Williams has not only changed the game of tennis but has evolved the way that women are viewed in sports, and leaves behind a legacy that will remain forever. In the final paragraph of her piece, Williams ends in a solemn but uplifting tone, “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.”

Many of Williams’ fans reacted to her news on Twitter. Users shared their thanks and appreciation for all that Serena Williams has done in her career, inside and outside the court.

Thank you, #SerenaWilliams.

For showing brown girls that we too can be champions.

For showing brown girls with natural hair that we too can be cover girls.

For showing brown girls that we have no limits.

You’re FOREVER the blueprint. pic.twitter.com/60yBl4eFUY

— Mia Kai (@miakai) August 9, 2022

I knew this day will come but boy I’m not prepare to face it, you have indeed written your name in the history of tennis, 23 Grand Slam is no fluke at all #SerenaWilliams all the best legend 💪💪💪#tennis #yourfavoritesportgirl pic.twitter.com/3fQ34gCUh2

— Cali_e (@cali_enejele) August 9, 2022

Last night, Serena Williams played what will most likely be her final match in Toronto, the place where her career began. In a heartbreaking loss to Belinda Bencic, Williams stepped off the court one last time met with a standing ovation.

“she will be the next Serena Williams”

no, no one will be the next Serena Williams

legend, incredible tennis player and an incredible humanpic.twitter.com/JpjBqaf8MH

— Marty (@Svitoflopina) August 11, 2022

Serena Williams, the GOAT of Women’s Tennis, leaves behind an amazing legacy, where her career and life flourished on the court. Here at Glitter, we are so excited to see what is next for the award-winning and hard-hitting athlete. Readers can watch some of Williams’ best moments and highlights in the video below.