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Serena Williams finding retirement 'difficult' and shares family decision
Reach Daily Express | December 1, 2025 8:39 PM CST

It's been more than three years since Serena Williams ended her iconic tennis career at the US Open. The 24-time Major winner went out with a bang, getting one last big win over No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit before bowing out in the third round. Williams has stayed busy since retiring from professional tennis, dedicating her time to her businesses and welcoming her second child with her husband, Alexis Ohanian.

Now, the former world No. 1 is prioritising her family, making sure she's home for them almost every night. But Williams is still finding it "a little difficult" to navigate life in retirement.

The end of the American's career was marred by injuries. She shut down her season after retiring from the first round of Wimbledon in 2021 after slipping on the court and did not play another match for almost a year.

Williams returned in the doubles in Eastbourne in 2022 and then lost in the first round of Wimbledon. But within a few weeks, she announced her decision to retire - or "evolve away" - from professional tennis at the US Open, also playing in Canada and Cincinnati before hanging up her racket.

Although she was prepared for retirement, the 73-time title winner still finds it tough to navigate her new life. "No matter how prepared you are to retire, and particularly from doing something every day at such a high level, it's hard. I really prepped myself the best way I could, but it's something that's still a little difficult," she told Porter.

Williams welcomed her first child, a daughter named Alexis Olympia, in 2017. She was eight weeks pregnant when she won the Australian Open that year and went on to reach four more Grand Slam titles after returning to tennis following her pregnancy.

Now that she and her husband have two daughters, the 44-year-old has decided to spend as much time at home as possible - even flying back in time for dinner when she has work commitments.

The four-time Olympic gold medallist added: "I feel fortunate that I've had a career and that I don't have to do what most people do. I'm very lucky. I put in the hard work, like we all are doing, but I did it a little bit earlier. So, I think that's really working in my favour. And [now I can] just put my kids first.

"I want to be around my family. I'm cooking every night that I'm home. I'm home 29 nights a month... Sometimes I'll fly to New York, do what I need to do, fly back and be home in time for dinner."

Williams might not be a professional tennis player anymore, but she's still keeping tennis in the family. The 44-year-old recently shared a snap of her on the court with her youngest child, Adira. And Olympia has also been practising her tennis.


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