- Serena Williams has opened up on the never-ending urge to play tennis at its highest level
- She feels that she could have done better
- However, she misses tennis a little less and has a more balanced life
Serena Williams has opened up on the never-ending urge to play tennis at its highest level every time she gets hold of her racket.
It always reminds her that she could still have a chance to showcase her talent and wit at her peak level.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner retired in 2022 after the U.S Open to concentrate on her family and personal businesses.
Six months after her exit from tennis, Serena Williams openly remarks that she is conflicted about leaving the sport. However, she acknowledges that she misses tennis less and that her life outside of the WTA circuit is more balanced.
While she feels more at ease, Williams in an interview with E! said she feels that she could still be playing at a high level.
Serena Williams all smiles. Photo/USA Today
“I for sure feel more at peace now. It’s interesting. I think I feel torn because I’m still able to play at a very, very, very high level,” she says.
Although she knew that she would one day retire, she wanted a glowing legacy of a player who left the sport playing at her peak level.
Another thing she was keen on was maintaining her health, mentally and physically and her life’s quality in general.
These considerations solidified her decision to retire at 41 but she has those episodes where she misses playing tennis but she would never go back to the court.
Williams finds no excuse as to why she isn’t playing tennis at the peak level given that it is the only thing she has done in her life.
However, she needed to balance her other life outside tennis and it meant walking away otherwise being on tour as a pro tennis player complicated her plan.
“So now, I’m inch by inch finding my way. Obviously, I love other businesses that I’ve done. But just inch by inch leaning into that and leaning into my family and leaning into just having fun.
Williams’ career came to a stop with a record of four losses. She lost in four Grand Slams that she played before August 2022 when she hang her boots in tennis.
Serena Williams. Photo/CBS
These losses also have moments that make her feel that she could have done better if she decided to play tennis once more.
Her most memorable play was at the 2017 Australian Open when she competed while carrying her daughter pregnant with her firstborn daughter Olympia. She won the slam but it was also her last Major championship.
She went on to battle a difficult birth and never walked away. She returned hoping to maintain her momentum but it also became hard.
Shortly after, the Covid-19 pandemic struck and it thwarted her attempts to resume full-time touring.
With her retirement, tennis fans are eagerly waiting for the news of her second pregnancy. She told Vogue in August 2022 that her main focus was to expand her family while taking care of her husband Alexis Ohanian and Olympia.
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