Serena Williams Wants Family To Come First

The United State’s athletic pride in the world of tennis is saying goodbye to the sport that she has known since 14 years old. Serena Wiliams made the announcement in a cover story published by Vogue. “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” she wrote. The athlete did not specifically say when she will be retiring or which game will be her last. NBC Sports, however, reports that the U.S. Open, which starts in three weeks, may be her last major tennis tournament.

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As to why she’s decided to leave tennis behind, she said that she had to choose family. “I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family,” she said. “I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.” Although she thinks it is unfair that she has to choose between her tennis career and family, she concluded that it was what she needs to do. “But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.”

As to what she will be doing after her retirement, Serena Williams mentioned that she will be focusing her career towards her business career. “A few years ago I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family,” she said. Her firm focuses on investing in women-owned business particularly those who belong in minority groups.

Throughout her carrer, Serena Williams has won 23 Grand Slam titles in the singles category, 14 women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles.