Unexpected Tom Brady-esque Revelation from Serena Williams Shows How Addictive Being at the Pinnacle is For Athletes

Another high-performing athlete wants to come back to the sport they retired from. It is Serena Williams, the absolute tennis legend! Although she played her last tournament in September, the six-time US Open winner intends to hit the court again. It makes one wonder: why do high-caliber athletes like Tom Brady cannot stay away from sports?

The NFL GOAT and seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Tom Brady, is one of the most decorated players in the world. With many accolades and awards, the elite QB retired from football in February 2022. However, only after 40 days, he made his comeback. This news surprised many people. Because not only is he hailed as the greatest of all time, but he is also one of the oldest players to throw the pigskin.

And now the star tennis player, Serena Williams, hinted at a possible comeback. The 23-time Grand Slam champion remarked two days ago at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, and it sounds like she’s itching to take up the racket again. “I’m not retired,” Williams said. But she followed up her statement with a joke, “The chances are very high. Can come to my house, I got a court. I got you.” Even though that was a playful statement, she did.

Why is Tom Brady still playing?

The NFL legend made a comeback for what seemed like his 23rd season. It’s unclear how much longer the 45-year-old will play. He has won more Super Bowls than anyone else. Brady is the all-time leading passer in the NFL. So, rather than asking if he can still play, we should ask why. Why are certain athletes able to quit competing? Why then do some athletes, particularly those who have nothing left to prove, persist?

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Dr. J.D. DeFreese, who is a researcher at the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, gave his insights.

According to him, the athletes are tired and beaten down at the end of the season. But after six weeks, they feel replenished. Therefore, it may become easier for them to unretire. Also, for athletes, their athletic identity is crucial. Athletes identify with the position of the athlete, and it’s challenging to break that identity much as we all do with our roles as employees, parents, caretakers, or spouses. It’s difficult to break them from that desire because it can be a powerful action.

Athletes, like Tampa Tom, may also fear losing contacts. The relationships with their coaches and teammates play a pivotal role in their life. Sport can be stressful and difficult, but it fosters a competitive environment, and some individuals genuinely enjoy competing and worry they’ll miss it if they stop playing. Tom Brady is known as a passionate and competitive player. Along with that, he’s always loved the camaraderie the sport brought to him. Therefore, the reasons make sense, considering why Brady must’ve unretired.

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