Serena Williams on why she’s retiring now: ‘I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete’

Serena Williams recently announced her retirement to dedicate more time to her family. However, there is something she has been focusing on for a few years besides tennis.During a conversation with Selena Gomez for her mental health platform, Wondermind, the pair discussed how to stay mentally in shape.“Mental fitness for me is just really learn[ing] to shut down,” Williams said. “And you know I did this years ago before even mental health was a topic among everyone’s mind.”“It was more just like, alright, I’m shutting myself down today.

Serena Williams has a lot of change coming her way, having announced just this month that she would be retiring from competitive tennis after over twenty years on the court.MORE: Serena Williams left emotional after crushing defeat following retirement newsWith such a change can easily come a lot of stress too, and during a recent conversation with Selena Gomez for Wondermind, a "mental fitness" platform co-founded by the actress, the athlete opened up about the efforts she puts into maintaining her mental health.She discussed how she takes care of herself, especially amid tumultuous times, and detailed the importance of boundaries.WATCH: Serena shares rare glimpse into her bedroomMORE: Serena Williams' bespoke Miami mansion where she'll spend retirement - tourSelena was immediately cognizant of the changes in Serena's life, kicking off the conversation by asking: "I can tell that you've been working a lot, so, how do you feel?"The tennis star was careful with her words, and said: "Everything is good," before candidly admitting: "It's never really great, it's always something that I think you deal with," referring to "mental fitness."She further explained: "Whether it's physical – like my back right now – or whether it's mental… but it's really about managing.A post shared by Wondermind (@officialwondermind)The candid conversation about "mental fitness""It's really about managing and how you're able to do it, and how you're able to kinda just manage your emotions, your feelings and everything and still be able to perform."MORE: Serena Williams announces tennis retirement as she plans to expand her familyMORE: Serena Williams discusses changing routines with husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter OlympiaTransparent about all

retiring from tennis this year, spoke to Selena Gomez about how she takes care of her mental fitness.“Mental fitness for me is just really learning to shut down,” Williams, 40, said on the “Only Murders in the Building” star’s wellness platform, Wondermind.“I did this years ago before mental health was a topic among everyone’s mind. It was more just like, alright I’m shutting myself down today.

Serena Williams is as much of a role model off the court as she is on it. The 40-year-old athlete recently sat down for a conversation with Selena Gomez where she spoke openly about her mental health and how she learned years ago that it’s healthy for her to have boundaries.

Serena Williams is as much of a role model off the court as she is on it. The 40-year-old athlete recently sat down for a conversation with Selena Gomez where she spoke openly about her mental health and how she learned years ago that it's healthy for her to have boundaries.«Mental fitness for me is just really learning to shut down,» Williams said in the interview for Gomez's mental health platform, Wondermind,.

in Vogue’s September issue that she will be stepping back from professional tennis imminently—which many understood to mean that this year’s U.S. Open would be her last—the world has been watching the 40-year-old tennis legend’s every move more closely than ever. The day after her story was published, Williams played the Canadian Open in Toronto and was given a standing ovation, while ticket sales for the U.S.

Emma Raducanu has made a surprise appearance in the doubles draw at next week's Western & Southern Open, and has partnered none other than recent Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. The world No 10 already has her work cut out for her in Cincinnati after drawing Serena Williams in the first round of the singles competition.

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.

 Serena Williams looked back on some of her 22 most iconic looks over the years, including the controversial, full-length catsuit she wore at the French Open in 2018.As she reminisced over her past wardrobe choices both on and off the tennis court with Vogue, the tennis superstar, 40, revisited some of her most memorable looks throughout her career.'This is my first Grand Slam after having Olympia,' she said while looking a picture of herself about to compete at the tennis tournament  less than a year after becoming a mom to her four-year-old daughter, who she shares with Alexis Ohanian.  Memorable: Serena Williams looked back on some of her 22 most iconic looks over the years, including the controversial, full-length catsuit she wore at the French Open in 2018She continued: 'This was right after the royal wedding, and I was like, I worked so hard at those braids, I'm gonna keep 'em in, so I kept 'em in.'  The mother-of-one, who recently announced her retirement in a Vogue article on Tuesday, said she couldn't believe 'people were mad about' the skintight bodysuit.'Well, not people, the French Open was kinda upset about it. And I was like, why not? So when the tournament told me that I couldn't wear that, I told 'em that no, no, no, you don't understand, like this is for my health.' 'This is my first Grand Slam after having Olympia,' she said while looking a picture of herself about to compete at the tennis tournament less than a year after becoming a mom Looking back: She continued: 'This was right after the royal wedding, and I was like, I worked so hard at those braids, I'm gonna keep 'em in, so I kept 'em in'She continued: 'They understood when I said that.

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.

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.

A mother-daughter moment! Serena Williams graced the cover of Vogue‘s September issue with her daughter, Olympia, by her side.

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Serena Williams is farewelling the sport that gave her worldwide recognition. The athlete who ranked the world’s No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association for 319 weeks has announced in Vogue’s latest issue that she will “evolve away from tennis” after the 2022 US Open.

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.