Serena Williams Says Farewell To Tennis
essence.comSerena 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.
But Williams knows that, as a woman, this comes with more sacrifices than it would if she were a male athlete. “Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family.
I don’t think it’s fair. 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 labor of expanding our family,” she wrote. “Maybe I’d be more of a Tom Brady if I had that opportunity.” “I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”The choice to leave tennis is a difficult one for Williams, who admits that she doesn’t find the same joy and relief most of her peers do in retirement.
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