Serena Williams reveals why she had to call time on tennis career in revealing interview
Serena Williams has opened up on the disappointment she felt retiring from tennis, as she admitted her passion for having a second child forced her to make the decision.
The 23-time Grand Slam legend went out on a real high as she was given a lavish send-off at the US Open, but the final major title she craved to add to her collection and draw level with Margaret Court on the all-time list proved to be elusive.
Williams was still a force in the game when she called time on her record-breaking career, even though her dominance at the top of the women’s game waned in her final few years on the tour.
Now the American has revealed she felt the need to quit tennis as she wanted to have a second child, following the birth of her first child Olympia in September 2017.
Her second daughter with her husband Alexis Ohanian arrived in August 2023, and the couple named her Adira River Ohanian.
Williams has now moved on to a life away from tennis, with the launch of her new make-up brand part of a second career that she spoke about in the latest edition of Byrdie magazine.
“I love sports and being active,” she said.
“Leaving something I was still good at to be a mom was such a difficult decision. But I wanted another kid, so I had to do that. Now it’s about finding balance and doing other things I’ve always loved.”
She also spoke about her eagerness to express herself through the fashion and jewellery she wore on court, as she admitted it was hard to look glamorous in a long match.
“Tennis is different than other sports,” she stated. “Sprinters and gymnasts, for example, can wear a full face of makeup. With tennis, you can play for three hours and have sweat pouring down your face.
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“So I had to find little ways to enhance my features. It started with the beads—that was a way to express myself. From there, I leaned into eyeliner and lipstick.”
Williams will be hoping her make-up range is a big hit, as she looks to create a brand that will continue to build on the remarkable legacy she created as an athlete.
“It all started with the skin tint,” she added. “I would often mix my foundation and sun cream because I couldn’t find a skin tint I loved.
“I realized that if I’m having this problem, other people are as well. I also remember talking to beauty publications, and they’d ask me about the products I couldn’t live without.
“I’d list products like eyeliner and lipstick, which I often used on my lips and cheeks. From there, I started thinking about how I could create functional and really cool products.
“I wanted to create (a collection) people could use every day to enhance their natural beauty.
“I wanted to focus on long-wearing, “clean” formulas because that’s how I live my life. I have a farm and try to eat clean, so I also apply that approach to what I put on my face.”
