Serena Williams speaks about her potential retirement while paying tribute to Ashleigh Barty


Serena Williams speaks about her potential retirement while paying tribute to Ashleigh Barty

Ashleigh Barty and Serena Williams

Ashleigh Barty sent shockwaves throughout the tennis world as she announced her sudden retirement at the age of 25. The tennis ace announced her decision just weeks after winning the Australian Open this year. The Australian has over the years garnered a huge fan following for her calm and composed approach at the tennis court. Hence her sudden retirement came as a shock to 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams.

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Taking to Twitter, Serena wrote: “@ashbarty, I can’t lie I was sad to read your decision but also happy for your new chapter. Always your fan close up and afar. Sending all my love.”

Serena Williams speaks on her potential retirement

Serena Williams
Serena Williams

Although Serena Williams has not played any competitive tennis in over six months due to injury and is unsure of her return date, the WTA legend has admitted she doesn’t think much about retiring from the sport.

Williams, now 40, is widely considered the best player to grace women’s tennis in the modern era, with Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles just about the only target the younger Williams sister has yet to reach.

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But having stated she would like to expand her family and with a new start-up investment fund – Serena Ventures – to manage, it’s clear there are other competing priorities in her life.

“I think every tennis player thinks about the R-word [retirement] as soon as they hit five years because tennis is so intense, it’s literally 11 months out of the year. But I don’t know. I’m living for the day and I always tell people, ‘I’m not planning for tomorrow, only in business, and when it comes to tennis, I’m planning just for today,”  revealed Williams in an interview with Bloomberg.

Uncertainty continues to surround Williams’ return to the WTA Tour. She didn’t compete at Indian Wells, and there has been no indication she is planning to enter any of April’s clay-court tournaments that follow the ‘sunshine swing’.

Due to a playing absence that stretches back to Wimbledon 2021 where she withdrew with injury in the first round, the former World No.1 is currently ranked 240th in the world.

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