Today is one that will go down in history.
After much speculation, 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams has confirmed that, following her appearance at the US Open later this month, her time on the tennis court has come to an end. While gracing the September cover of Vogue Magazine, the most famous tennis player on Earth provides some insight on where her mind, and heart is, during the intimate profile:
“I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me.”
THE QUEEN’S COURT
In the decades since her 1995 debut, Serena Williams, alongside her elder sister Venus, has redefined what the sport of tennis means to our community, and has reshaped the profile of the somewhat esoteric sport, globally and forever. A pioneer in more ways than we can count, Serena Williams’ rose to the pinnacle of her sport, coinciding with the elevation of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton, and countless other Black sports icons. Often in sports commentary, the debate around “who is best” is overdone, and the title of ‘Greatest’ overused. That said, a brief review of her individual accolades, illustrates why she is the greatest professional tennis player of all time:
- seventy-three (73) Singles Titles.
- twenty-three (23) Grand Slam Singles Titles.
- fourteen (14) Grand Slam Doubles Titles.
- four (4) Olympic Gold Medals.
And, $94M in prize money, which contributed to her being one of the highest paid women in sports ever. Yet, these figures still only speak to a single aspect of Serena Williams’ legacy. But before this piece becomes too long, I’ll recommend we celebrate this living legend for transcending her sport, and embracing her focus, passions and the more consequential aspects of her legacy.
“That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”
THE CONVERSATION.