Serena Williams is hailed as the ‘GOAT’ by fans following retirement

The sporting world is coming to terms with no longer seeing Serena Williams on a tennis court as tributes have flooded in hailing her after she announced her retirement from the game Tuesday.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has called time on her career, announcing her decision in next month’s Vogue, although a firm date on when she will go has not been confirmed. 

The news comes after the American superstar recorded her first win in 430 days but she said: ‘It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.’

Adoring and emotional tennis fans have taken to social media to honor the 41-year-old, describing her as the ‘Greatest Of All Time’.

One wrote: ‘Wow, I got emotional reading this. You are retiring as the GOAT,’ while another added: ‘GOAT’ and one just responded with several goat emojis.

The official Twitter account of the Olympics paid tribute to the outgoing star, writing: ‘Champion. Inspiration. Legend. The sport will miss you, Serena.’

Tennis fans hailed the 23-time Grand Slam champion as the ‘Greatest Of All Time’

The official Twitter account of the Olympics paid tribute to the outgoing star

Williams’s retirement is not immediate. As she revealed in her piece, Williams is still hopeful she can play at the US Open in New York later this month. She’s also committed to playing at next week’s Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. 

‘Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year,’ she wrote. ‘And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun.’

Williams isn’t looking for the kind of ‘farewell’ tour that many male athletes have enjoyed before their imminent retirements. 

Instead, the younger half of the famed Williams Sisters thanked fans in her piece and admitted that she’s going to miss the game – and the person she once was.  

‘But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment,’ she continued. ‘I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst. But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words. You have carried me to so many wins and so many trophies. I’m going to miss that version of me, that girl who played tennis. And I’m going to miss you.’

Other fans expressed gratitude for what she has done, with one saying: ‘Trying to find the words, to describe how I’m feeling, on hearing the news of your retirement. I’ll just say thank you. Thank you for being an inspiration for those that came after you. Thank you for your strength and courage, and staying true to who you are.’

Adoring and emotional fans took time to pay tribute to the American superstar with many thanking her for what she has done