Serena Williams Drops Retirement Hint After Win At Toronto Open

Former World No. 1 tennis player Serena Williams has opened up about her retirement plans after struggling for fitness and form in the last few years.

There had been calls for her to consider her time on the court following underwhelming performances lately and she appears to have yielded to the calls.

She revealed that she will retire from Tennis after participating in the US Open later this month.

“I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me.

I’ve been thinking of this as a transition but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people,” Serena said.

The 40-year-old said she will be focusing on other things that matter to her.

“Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.

“I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis. It’s like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist.”

“Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun.

“I know there’s a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say, ‘See ya!’, I get that. It’s a good fantasy. But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.”

The US Open is set to start on August 29.

Energetic Start To Toronto Open

Serena won her first match in 430 days in a tournament beating Nuria Parrizas-Diaz 6-3, 6-4 at the women's National Bank Open in Toronto having a battle with injuries.

She last won a Grand Slam in 2017 at the Australian Open and has been chasing a record-equalling 24th currently held by Margaret Court.

The Tennis legend has won 73 WTA titles overall, 39 combined major titles in singles and mixed doubles.

She has also spent  319 weeks at the top of the world rankings, 186 consecutive weeks as number one.