Serena Williams has hinted at an imminent retirement, saying she is “evolving away from tennis”.
And it appears that the US Open – beginning in New York on 29 August – may be her last tournament.
Family is clearly a major consideration as the winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles ponders her future.
Her daughter, Olympia, wants to “be a big sister”, she writes in Vogue magazine.
Williams says she “never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family”, adding: “I don’t think it’s fair.”
She explains: “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 labour of expanding our family.
“But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”
Illustrating her thinking process, she adds: “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. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”
She continues: “I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.”
