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See proof that Serena Williams has officially retired, as a key detail belies Grand Slam Queen’s claim that she could return soon
- Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg remains convinced that Serena Williams has retired
- Last year, the 23-time Grand Slam winner declared that she is “evolving” as an athlete.
- Rothenberg outlined on Twitter why the 41-year-old will not be returning to the WTA Tour
A prominent tennis reporter has explained why 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams is not coming out of retirement.
On Twitter, journalist Ben Rothenberg pointed out a number of compelling reasons why fans will no longer watch the 41-year-old winners from the baseline.
Williams announced that she was “stepping away from tennis” in August of last year, just before her last tournament at the US Open, stating that she has “never liked the word retirement.”
She then bluntly said “I’m not retired” last October and said the chances of her returning to court were “very high.”
“I’ve gotten a lot of messages since Serena ‘evolved’ at the US Open asking about the likelihood of a comeback,” she said. tweeted.
‘In September, Serena officially withdrew, withdrawing from the ITIA drug testing pool and whereabouts programme.
‘By October, she had also been knocked out of the WTA rankings.
Tennis fans shouldn’t expect to see Serena Williams on the court at future Grand Slams, according to tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg.
Williams, 41, (pictured with daughter Olympia and husband Alexis Ohanian) didn’t use the word retirement when asked about her future; instead, she says that she is “evolving”.
“In order to return to the tour, Serena (like any officially retired player) would need to re-enter the trial group at least three months before her return to competition.
‘ITIA (also) maintains public lists of recently officially retired players, as well as those who have recently been reinstated. So if Serena does come back, she’ll get at least three months’ notice.
Williams, 41, stepped away from tennis in September after playing at the US Open; her loss to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic last September in New York, many felt was her last Grand Slam appearance.
Serena Williams has admitted that she has had trouble relaxing while seemingly adjusting to life after tennis.
Williams also teased a return to action in November, when she posted a photo of a racket and tennis court with the caption: “I’m kind of bored.”
Williams turned professional in 1995 and is considered by many to be the greatest tennis player ever, and one look at her resume makes it hard to argue otherwise.
Australia’s Margaret Court won 24 majors in her decorated career from 1960 to 1977, but Williams is widely regarded as the better all-around player.
Williams has won the Australian Open and Wimbledon seven times, the US Open six times and triumphed on clay at the French Open in 2002, 2013 and 2015.
She married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in 2017, and their daughter Olympia was born that year.