Serena Williams, a professional tennis player from the United States, has announced her retirement.
Williams stated that her departure would be “the hardest thing I could ever imagine,” despite not having provided a specific date.
The well-known tennis player announced that she plans to retire after the US Open in order to try for another child when she is 40.
READ ALSO: Australian Open: Serena Williams breaks down in tears, walks out on media
In order to spend more time with her daughter Olympia and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, Williams said that her impending retirement was essential.
Following her first win of the year, a two-set victory at the National Bank Open, the tennis star made her announcement.
“I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” the legendary athlete said in an interview with Vogue.
“It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next,” she said.
Williams is committed to playing at next week’s Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
She wrote, “’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.”
The famed Williams thanked fans in her interview and admitted that she’s going to miss the game, as well as the person she once was.