Home/Tennis

via Getty

via Getty

Serena Williams has announced her retirement from tennis. The Western and Southern Open will be her last Masters tournament. Although she didn’t mention an exact date in her essay for Vogue, Serena will probably retire after the US Open 2022. She is widely regarded as the GOAT in tennis, and the latest to agree with this view was none other than the legendary John McEnroe.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The seven-time Grand Slam Winner reflected on how Serena deserves to be in the same conversation as Tom Brady and Michael Jordan in the sporting world. Serena is the greatest female athlete, to me, in the history of sports. I don’t care who you could come up with. She’s one of the greatest athletes, period, male or female,” McEnroe asserted.

McEnroe acknowledges Serena’s incredible career

While sharing about Serena’s journey, McEnroe said, “She’s put herself among the likes of Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry now. Billie Jean King obviously changed a lot of things for women’s sports, but she’s 40 years old, done everything in tennis, has nothing to prove, and it sounds like she wants to have more kids, awesome.”

Serena Williams has won more Grand Slam singles titles (23) than any other player in the Open Era. The legendary American has also won a record four Olympic gold medals in women’s singles and doubles.

Read More: Serena Williams, Inching Closer to Retirement, Once Disclosed the Unfulfilled Desire of Her Career: ‘Never Been Asked To…’

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Taking note of her incredible records, McEnroe went onto add that Serena would have ideally liked to sign off by winning more Grand Slam titles. He said, “She’ll be doing just fine. We were sort of expecting this to happen, but I think she wanted to win a couple more (Grand Slam) and break the all-time record and win a couple after having her daughter. That doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, but that doesn’t take away that she’s the greatest of all time.”

Serena Williams vs Emma Raducanu in Cincinnati

The clash between Serena and Emma Raducanu will be an interesting one. Raducanu is a rising star in the tennis world, while Serena is a seasoned veteran. The defending US Open champion will be determined to sharpen her skills ahead of the last Grand Slam event of the season. Thus, Serena will have to be at the top of her game to come out victorious.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch this story – Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian reveals a lifelong wish to don a powerful marvel character

The two-time Cincinnati Masters Champion will look forward to enjoying her last Masters tournament before stepping on the courts in Flushing Meadows for the last time in her professional career.