Serena Williams is retiring! When will the tennis star play professionally for the last time

Chris Rock, 57, has reportedly said he was asked by the Academy to host next year’s Oscars, but that he turned the opportunity down.The star discussed the apparent offer during his stand-up routine, five months after he was slapped across the face by Will Smith, 53, live on stage.Earlier this year, the King Richard actor shocked onlookers as he stormed across the stage to smack the comedian after he made a joke at the expense of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 50.While the star has since apologised, the story rocked the world of showbiz for weeks on end, with many celebrities and other famous faces offering their perspectives on the altercation.Chris told his fans at a Phoenix stand-up gig that he had since been asked to host the award show, but explained why he didn’t think it would be a good idea.The Everybody Hates Chris actor joked to his audience that returning to the award ceremony would be like returning to a crime scene, according to a report from Arizona Republic. The comedian went on to jibe that coming back to host the Hollywood awards show would be like asking Nicole Brown Simpson to "go back to the restaurant".This was in reference to the events that led to Nicole’s death and the infamous OJ Simpson trial that followed.The late mother-of-two ate at LA restaurant Mezzaluna Trattoria before she was murdered that evening in her Los Angeles home at the age of 35.The joke was made with a nod to the dramatic events surrounding the slap from the beloved Independence Day actor, which shook the world of Hollywood. Rock reportedly added that he had been offered to star in a Super Bowl commercial following the incident, but turned that down as well.Express.co.uk has contacted the Academy for comment.On March 27, viewers

The Osmonds and Six have wrapped up their Manchester theatre shows following successful legs in the city - and September is set to be just as exciting, with four incredible shows set to take to the stages of the Opera House and Palace Theatre.

Serena Williams is opening up about attending Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s royal wedding and she revealed how long her look took to achieve.

Serena Williams bid a tearful goodbye to Toronto, leaving it all on Sobeys Stadium’s Centre Court after competing in Wednesday night’s Canadian Open.

Serena Williams was pictured wiping away tears following an emotional defeat at the Canadian Open on Wednesday.SEE: Serena Williams' bespoke Miami mansion where she'll spend retirementThe tennis ace, who announced her retirement plans in an interview with British Vogue, was sadly defeated by 2020 Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Despite the loss, Serena received a standing ovation from the crowd and was clearly moved by the reaction as she struggled to disguise her emotions.WATCH: Serena Williams shares sweet family videoHer defeat marks her final time at the tournament as a player, and speaking in a post-match interview to the Tennis Channel, Serena admitted that it has been "a pretty interesting 24 hours," following her bombshell news."It's just been so memorable," she told the outlet.

Serena Williams got emotional on Wednesday as she played her final match in Canada just hours after she announced she was "​evolving away from tennis.«In a video posted on the Tennis Channel's Twitter, Williams can be seen taking it all in as she receives a standing ovation following her match against Belinda Bencic, whom she was defeated 6-2 6-4 by in the second round of the Canadian Open in Toronto.»It was a lot of emotions," the 40-year-old athlete said during an on-court interview of how it felt to play so soon after making the major announcement. «I love playing here, I've always loved playing here.

Michelle Obama took to social media to share a heartfelt message to Serena Williams after learning the beloved athlete would retire from tennis right after the U.S Open. “Serena, thank you for everything that you’ve done to break barriers and to be a positive light in this world,” she captioned the Instagram post. “We’ve all watched you wear the crown of greatness with the kind of humility, grace, and integrity that all of us can aspire to.

Vogue essay on “evolving away from tennis” has given women around the world “goosebumps” for voicing their shared reality. The first-person piece from the tennis great laid bare the reality that women are faced with a unique dilemma when it comes to choosing between being a parent and pursuing their career. “Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family.

Michelle Obama often shares snippets of her life on social media and is a great cheerleader for those she admires and cares about.MORE: Michelle Obama reveals sad news about daughters Malia and SashaMost recently, the former FLOTUS took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend, tennis champion Serena Williams, following the news of her retirement.Michelle shared a series of photos of the pair together from over the years, including pictures of her cheering Serena on in the crowds during a tennis tournament.VIDEO: Michelle Obama gives rare glimpse into family lifeIn the caption, she wrote: "Serena, thank you for everything that you've done to break barriers and to be a positive light in this world.MORE: Malia Obama steps out in sporty look following birthday celebrationsREAD: Barack Obama mourns sad family death with heartbreaking tribute"We've all watched you wear the crown of greatness with the kind of humility, grace, and integrity that all of us can aspire to. It has meant so much to follow your journey as an athlete, as a mother, as a business leader, and more.

saying ta-ta to tennis. After seven Wimbledon and seven Australian Open titles, six US Open trophies and three French Open crowns, Williams, 40, is officially retiring from the sport, she announced Tuesday. However, she was reluctant to use the word “retirement,” a term she finds outdated.

announced she’s “evolving away” from the sport on Tuesday in an essay for Vogue. Williams added that this year’s US Open, beginning Aug. 29, will be her final tournament. Fittingly, she’ll bow out on the very same stage where she won her first Grand Slam in 1999 at just 17 years old.It’s the biggest departure from US tennis since Andy Roddick hung up his racket in 2012 — but much more massive than that.Roddick only won one slam, after all.

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Serena Williams is gearing up to make some of her final swings.

Serena Williams has announced that she is officially retiring from the sport of tennis. The athlete and philanthropist made the announcement on the cover of Vogue, with an essay written in her own words about her decision to leave her sports career and focus on venture capital endeavors and motherhood.Appearing on the cover in a blue Balenciaga gown with her 5-year-old daughter Olympia Ohanian carrying the train, Williams dove deep into the inner conflict she feels about moving on from her beloved sport and into a new chapter in life. Instead of “retirement,” she chooses to see her transition away from tennis as an “evolution.”The tennis star began her essay with the revelation that her daughter has been repeatedly asking and praying for a younger sister, and she’s ready to expand her family.

Serena Williams shocked the world as she announced that she is eventually stepping away from tennis without using the word 'retirement' in a Vogue cover story.And Kim Kardashian and Gabrielle Union led the stars reacting to the groundbreaking news.The 41-year-old SKIMS founder and 49-year-old actress took to Instagram to lead celebrity tributes to the 40-year-old 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.Scroll down for video  Big news: Serena Williams shocked the world as she announced that she is eventually stepping away from tennis without using the word 'retirement' in a Vogue cover story, as she is joined by daughter Olympia (right)  Dynamic duo: Kim Kardashian (left) and Gabrielle Union led the stars reacting to the groundbreaking newsBoth stars made similar statements as they shared goat imagery which is a reference to the highly-popular phrase of the 'greatest of all time.'Kim commented on Serena's post on the picture and video sharing social network with goat and flowers emojis.  Gabrielle shared Serena's post on her Instagram story with a photo of a goat's face and adding: 'Can't wait to see what's next friend.'The Serena news sent shockwaves through the sporting world on Monday.'I'm here to tell you that I'm evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,' the legendary athlete has announced in the latest issue of Vogue.  Sweet: Kim commented on Serena's post on the picture and video sharing social network with goat and flowers emojis 'It's the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I don't want it to be over, but at the same time I'm ready for what's next.'Williams is not quitting immediately.

Serena Williams has announced her plan to retire from tennis. Williams, who has won the most Grand Slam titles of all time during her career, with a total of 23, has said she will compete at this month's U.S. Open before stepping back to focus on her family with her partner, Alexis Ohanian, as well as business ventures.

Serena Williams has announced that she is ready to step away from competitive tennis.MORE: Serena Williams discusses changing routines with husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter OlympiaThe 23-grand slam champion has been the face of tennis since winning her first U.S. Open in 1999.Now, two decades later, the star is using the very same tournament that catapulted her into stardom as her last competition.

Serena Williams has announced her intention to retire from the sport — but she's not using that word. «I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,» she shares in a first-person account published for 's September 2022 issue. «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.»The 40-year-old star welcomed her first child, daughter Olympia, with husband Alexis Ohanian in 2017.

Twenty-three-time Gran Slam champ Serena Williams will retire after playing in this year’s U.S. Open this month, the tennis player says in a new Vogue magazine article and on her own social media accounts.

Serena Williams is Vogue‘s September 2022 cover star, and she also wrote an essay in lieu of the traditional sit-down interview.

Daniil Medvedev to play. Instead, they opted to host a fund-raising event with the hopes that players from the two nations could be convinced to support a charity match to donate to the efforts in Ukraine.