Serena Williams has announced she will retire from tennis after the US Open this year. The legendary American tennis player wrote in Vogue for September announcing her decision.

“This is the most difficult thing I could imagine,” admitted Serena Williams. “I don’t want this to end, but at the same time I am ready for what comes next,” said the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

The legendary American tennis player announced that she intends to give birth to her second child. For the past year, Alexis (aka husband) and I have been trying to have another baby. Recently we got some information from my doctor which helped me and made me feel that when we are ready we can grow our family. I definitely don’t want to get pregnant again as an athlete. I have to be dedicated to either tennis or my family,” said Serena Williams.

The 40-year-old tennis player won her last Grand Slam tournament in 2017. At that time, she was already pregnant with her first child, Olympia. Serena Williams returned to action at Wimbledon this year, where she was eliminated in the first round.

“I was not ready to win Wimbledon this year,” said Serena Williams. “I don’t know if I will succeed in New York, but I will try,” added the legendary American tennis player.

Serena Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 doubles titles. In 1999, she won her first major in New York. She won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics in singles. Together with her sister Venus, they climbed to the top step of the podium at the 2000, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

He has been number one in the world for 319 weeks (186 in a row) and has won over $100 million in prize money.

Breaking news: Serena Williams has said she plans to retire from tennis after playing in the US Open this year. https://t.co/zClGxsuM4k pic.twitter.com/xf8ttYq7IF

— New York Times (@nytimes) August 9, 2022