After the US Open, Serena Williams said she would be "developing away" from tennis, raising the possibility that she is about to call the quits.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles winner from the United States wrote for Vogue that she is moving toward "other things that are essential to me" and that she dislikes the phrase "retirement."
The countdown has started, she stated in an accompanying Instagram post.
The 40-year-old stated, "I'm going to cherish these next few weeks."
Following a protracted injury layoff that raised questions about her potential retirement, Williams made her singles comeback at Wimbledon in June.
Later in August, she plans to compete at the US Open, where she has won six of her major singles championships.
Williams has won the second-most major singles titles overall, behind Margaret Court's 24 victories, and more than any other female player during the Open era."I regret not having been prepared to win Wimbledon this year. Furthermore, I'm not sure if I'll be prepared to win New York. But I'll make an effort "She composed."I'm aware that some fans had the notion that I might have tied Margaret on that day in London, then possibly broken her record in New York, and finally waved goodbye at the trophy presentation.
"I comprehend. A good daydream, indeed. However, I'm not searching for a solemn, on-court moment.
"I'm the worst person in the world at saying goodbye. But please understand that there are no words to adequately explain how grateful I am for you."
She defeated Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz on Monday to earn her first singles victory in 14 months and advance to the second round of the National Bank Open in Toronto."It is the most difficult thing I can fathom,"
Williams writes that she has "resisted to admit to myself or anybody else that I have to move on from playing tennis" in the lengthy article.
She wrote, "Alexis, my husband, and I have scarcely discussed it; it's somewhat of a taboo topic.
"I can't even bring up this topic with my parents. It's as though something is only real when spoken aloud. When it does, I experience a strange lump in my throat and begin to cry.
I sincerely wish I felt as excited and looking forward to retirement as I know many people do.
Williams has won the Wimbledon and Australian Open singles tournaments seven times each, in addition to six US Open trophies and three French Open crowns.
At the age of 17, she won the 1999 US Open, her first major championship.
When she won the 2017 Australian Open when eight weeks pregnant with Olympia, it was her last Slam victory.
She claims that the prospect of giving up tennis brings her "no delight."
"I know it's unusual for me to say this, but I'm in a lot of pain. It's the most difficult thing I can fathom, she wrote.
"I abhor it. I detest having to stand at this turning point. I keep telling myself that I want things could be simple for me, but they aren't.
I'm conflicted because I don't want it to end yet at the same time I'm prepared for what comes next.
Williams returned to the sport after nearly dying during childbirth with Olympia and made it to four major finals. She misplaced them all, leaving her a record-breaking one short of Court's total.
In her piece, she talks about having additional kids and says, "I definitely don't want to be pregnant again as an athlete.
"I have to be playing tennis with two feet in or two feet out."I succeeded, and you can too.
Williams is one of the most recognizable athletes in sports, drawing packed stadiums and ardent supporters throughout her career.
She and her older sister Venus are generally recognized for having changed tennis forever, motivating new players, and championing gender equality.
Williams says that "expecting the best from myself and proving others wrong" is the "essence of being Serena."
"There were so many games I won because someone counted me out or whatever enraged me. That pushed me "She spoke.
"Someone once told me that when my sister Venus stated you couldn't accomplish anything, it was because they themselves couldn't. However, I did it. You too can do it."
Along with Venus, Williams also captured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, two mixed doubles Slams, and four Olympic gold medals in both the singles and doubles competitions.
In addition to her tremendous successes, she also experienced a number of huge disappointments, including heartbreaking losses in the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2021.
The 2018 US Open final in New York was one of her contentious moments there, during which she accused umpire Carlos Ramos of being a thief.
Williams, who is listed by Forbes as the highest-paid female athlete of all time, has started a venture capital firm in recent years.
She is also a member of a group that provided funding for a brand-new National Women's Soccer League franchise based in Los Angeles.
"I don't want to consider my legacy very much. I'm frequently questioned about that, but I never know how to respond "Williams threw in.
"But I'd like to think that because of the possibilities I've been given, female athletes feel comfortable being themselves on the field.
"They are capable of aggressive play and fist pumping. They can be both powerful and attractive. They are free to act, speak, and dress whichever they like, and they can be proud of it all.
Knowing that this is the conclusion of a tale that began in Compton, California with a young Black girl who simply wanted to play tennis, the author says, "I don't know how I'm going to be able to look at this magazine when it comes out."
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