‘Learning to Shut Down’- Serena Williams Tells Selena Gomez to Set Serious Boundaries for Mental Health

Serena Williams is ready to say goodbye to the sport. She has given tennis a lot, including the definition of endurance, both mental and physical. However, the 23 times Grand Slam champion also understood the difference between lasting and hurting oneself by lasting.

Williams has always believed in putting herself first, even if her entire life has revolved around tennis. This year as well, though the pressure of a comeback on her was high, she took her time and returned when ready. Therefore, the coming generation, regardless of the sector, should consider taking some mental health tips from her.

What is mental fitness, according to Serena Williams?

Williams, who is on her retirement tour, recently sat down for an interview with the world-renounced singer Selena Gomez. There she spoke about her take on mental health and disclosed her way of protecting the same. She said, “Mental fitness for me is just really learning to shut down.”

“You know I did this years ago before mental health was like a topic among everyone’s mind. It was more like alright, I’m shutting myself down today. Just subconsciously something I have always done. I have serious boundaries and I don’t let anyone cross those boundaries,” the former World No.1 added.

Thereafter Williams spoke about how she has had trouble taking time out for herself and now tries to “more or less, at least prioritizing what I need to do and then I’m turned off. I’m turned off.”

Williams, after returning to the circuit with Wimbledon, is trying to regain the lost grip on her game. At first, she tested her skills in the hard courts of Toronto. But unfortunately the three-time champion who claimed her first victory of this season in the event had to pack her bags in the second round.

Read more: ‘I Want to Win More Than…’ – When Serena Williams Proved to the World That Her Real Competition Was Sister Venus

Now the American is gearing up for the Cincinnati Masters. In the opening round, she is pitted against the British rising star and defending US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

Delay in Williams’ match

The 23-time Grand Slam champion and Raducanu were supposed to square off on Monday. However, due to an unfortunate and unexpected injury to Williams, the organizers had to postpone the match.

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Now the highly anticipated clash will take place on Wednesday at Centre Court. The 19-year-old and Williams will meet for the first and probably the last time on the hard courts of Cincinnati.