Serena Williams ‘torn’ over a potential comeback to the tour
Serena Williams has opened up about her life since ‘evolving away’ from tennis, and how she still feels as though she can compete at the very top of the sport.
Williams announced that she would be ending her professional career at the US Open last year, where she beat the No.2 seed Anett Kontaveit, before bowing out to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion has since hinted at making a comeback, joking that she ‘always loved Australia’ but now seems to be coming to terms with her decision.
“I for sure feel more at peace now,” said Williams. “It’s interesting. I think I feel torn because I’m still able to play at a very, very, very high level. With that being said, I always wanted to leave the game playing at a very high level.”
She continued, “I also wanted to walk away when I’m healthy and have a quality of life. But I’m inch by inch leaning away, inch by inch embracing it.”
The 41-year-old admitted that she didn’t want to stop playing tennis straight away, but does not play as much five months on from her last professional match.
“I was playing earlier when I first retired because it was hard to do it cold turkey. But lately, I haven’t played so much. And I miss it. I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness. I gotta get out there’. But it’s hard for me to get out there.”
However, the younger of the Williams’ sisters suggested that whenever she does pick up a racket it gives her that urge to get back on the tour again.
“I did play the other day, and it’s just like, ‘There’s no way I shouldn’t be playing professional tennis’. Like, there’s literally no excuse.”
She added, “But I mean, I guess there is an excuse, right? It’s hard because when I’m playing I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m pretty good at this. I can continue to do this,’ which not a lot of people can say.”
Williams, who has the most major titles in the open era, has lots of business projects including her investment company ‘Serena Ventures’ and she says that has kept her mind occupied now she is no longer on the WTA tour.
“I’ve been playing tennis for literally my entire life. My entire being and knowing is just what I’ve done.”
“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. I think it’s so important to do all those and still create that balance.”
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
