Tennis fans expect to see an end of action from favourite players but Serena Williams retirement is something she is preparing for gradually.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion recently opened up on Entertainment Tonight saying she started preparing for this eventuality ten years ago.
Is Serena Williams Retiring?
“I am prepared for that day, I’ve been prepared for that day for over a decade,” Serena said.
She attributes this to lessons from her father Richard as captured in King Richard.
“So, I’ve always – if you’ve seen King Richard you know that my dad always said you got to prepare, so I’ve been prepared for that. You know, at the end of the day, I think it’s really important to always have a plan and that’s kind of what I did. I always had a plan.”
Serena Williams retirement. Photo/The Trent
A hamstring injury kept her off the court – including the U.S Open – in 2021. This was the first time for her to miss US Open Grand Slam since 2003.
Serena assured her fans she was healing well last year in November during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel.
“The hamstring is better. It took a long time, it took forever, but it’s much better now,” she stated.
Is Serena Williams Planning on Getting More Kids?
Still on her retirement, Serena spoke of her love for family and how she balances it all.
The 40-year-old said it hasn’t been easy being a star athlete while at the same time raising a daughter – Olympia – now four years old.
She expressed desire to make her family bigger together with her husband Alexis Ohanian. She feels like time is running out.
“I definitely want to have more kids, it’s just like, balance is key, you know, and just trying to find that balance.
“I don’t know, it’s always like, OK, are we ready? And I know the clock is ticking so I’m just like OK, I need to figure out when that’s going to be, but hopefully soon when I will feel no pressure,” she stated.
Besides adding a child to her brood, Serena is also eyeing a 24th Grand Slam title as well before she hangs the racket.
What Does Patrick Mouratoglou Think of Serena Williams Retirement?
Her coach Patrick Mouratoglou says retirement is not an option for Serena before bagging another Grand Slam – her last, perhaps.
“I don’t think she will stop until she at least wins a Grand Slam, because she came back to win Grand Slams,” Mouratoglou told PEOPLE.
Serena has been working tirelessly to return to the WTA Tour after missing the 2022 Australian Open.
The American model just announced a partnership with Tonal, a home gym company.
She appears to be in better shape than ever in her most recent Instagram photo. Serena completed a comprehensive training routine in the little video clip, including bicep curling and other exercises.
This indicates her zeal to lift another Grand Slam for the season. Despite missing out on the opening Grand Slam of the year, Serena hopes to make it up with three other main Grand Slams remaining.
Serena Williams.[Credit/cheatsheet.com]
Is Nike Air Force 1 Serena Sneaker A Retirement Plan?
In preparation for her exit from competitive tennis, Nike announced the release of a brand-new model – “Summit White” Nike Air Force 1 Serena.
The “Summit White” Nike Air Force 1 Serena now out for sale was designed by the tennis legend together with the Serena Williams Design Crew.
This is according to the SNKRS product description of the shoe. The upper part is made of pebbled leather and has a new gold zipper shroud at the midfoot, as well as a dual-layered Swoosh on the side
The tongue of the shoe features Williams’ initials and the statement, “A collection made to inspire change and impact the globe,” which makes it stand out from the crowd.
The women’s exclusive “Summit White” Nike Air Force 1 Serena will be available on SNKRS starting Feb. 18 for $130
In 2019, Nike announced that the Serena-inspired footwear and accessories would be created by a team of emerging New York City designers working with Nike in 2020.
Nike further stated that a group of New York City-based designers from schools, institutions and groups including Harlem’s Fashion Row would get the opportunity to work on their designs after October 18, 2021.
The group was to meet the Nike teams at the company’s headquarters in New York.
Nike design teams set up a series of challenges for them to complete while they’re there.
Ten designers were chosen from the pool of candidates and invited to Nike World Headquarters in January 2020 to begin a seven-month apprenticeship.
It would end in the capsule project followed by a selection process scheduled for January 2020 but the coronavirus pandemic happened.
Nike Chief Design Officer John Hoke said then that this was a great opportunity for designers to improve their craft and creativity.
Hoke said the platform giving designers an opportunity to further Nike’s design would help shape its long-term dream.
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