Serena Williams’ farewell shot at Margaret Court, nods to Ash Barty in retirement announcement

Williams’ crusade to win the elusive 24th major title and a draw on par with the court will almost certainly end in vain when he retires at this year’s US Open. It was a story.

The 40-year-old American has revealed plans to end his career to focus on having another child In a Vogue Magazine article published Tuesday night (AEST).

Williams referred to court twice the pieceand though she was careful with her words, she left the impression that she should be remembered as the greatest player in tennis history.

“Some people say I’m not a GOAT because I didn’t surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles that she achieved before the ‘Open Era’ started in 1968.” Williams wrote.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that record. Obviously I do. But every day, I don’t really think about her. If I’m in a Grand Slam final, yes, that record.” I’m thinking about the record, maybe I was thinking too much, but it didn’t help.

“The way I see it, there must have been more than 30 Grand Slams. I had my chances after I came home from giving birth. I went from a C-section to a second pulmonary embolism to a Grand Slam final. Played while breastfeeding I played through postpartum depression.

“But I didn’t go there. I should, could, I didn’t show up the way I should have or could have. It’s crazy, actually, but these days, if I had to choose between building a tennis resume and starting a family, I would choose the latter.”

Williams stepped onto the hardcourts of the WTA Toronto Tournament for the first time in a year and a half on Monday, advancing to the second round with a straight sets win over Nuria Palisas Diaz.

It was her first singles win since the 2021 French Open about 14 months earlier. The former world number one made her first singles match in a year when she lost in the first round at Wimbledon in June.

“I know there’s fan fantasies that I might have tied Margaret in London that day, broken her record in New York, and said ‘See you later!’ It’s a good fantasy,” she wrote.

“But I’m not looking for a ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m a terrible goodbye, the worst in the world.

Another Australian champion, Ash Barty, was also mentioned in Williams’ autograph, revealing how difficult it was to walk away.

Barty surprised the tennis world when he retired earlier this year at the age of 25.

“I know a lot of people are excited and looking forward to retirement, and I want to feel that way,” Williams wrote. One of my best friends, Caroline Wozniacki, felt a sense of relief when she retired in 2020. I remembered

“I commend these people, but I will be honest. It’s the hardest thing I can imagine I hate it I hate having to be at this crossroads I keep telling myself I wish it was easy but yeah not.”