Serena Williams gains lavish praise from Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal has acknowledged the enormous impact Serena Williams has had on the game.
Williams has decided to call it quits after the 2022 US Open bringing to an end a career that is unmatched for achievements and changed the game forever.
Nadal says it has been an honour to share tennis’ big stage with Williams.
Williams has been a ubiquitous figure in elite tennis for the entire 21st century having burst onto the scene in the late 1990s.
“She is one of the greatest sports [people] of all time,” Nadal said. “I feel lucky to share a tour for a long period of time with her.
“Of course, from a selfish point of view it’s sad that she’s leaving the tour but, on the other hand, we can’t thank her enough for all the things that she did for our sport.
“I think she’s an amazing inspiration for a lot of people around the world and I think she deserves to choose whatever works for her better at this stage off her life. So I wish her all the best.”
‘Serena Williams has shown she is one of the greatest athletes of all time in any sport’
Williams’ retirement comes as no great surprise given she had already seemingly transitioned to being predominantly focused on her business and investments as well as other off-court projects.
She further admitted that motherhood did not gel with the life of a WTA professional and has said she wants to be around to play an active role in her child’s life.
There is more than a hint of cosmic injustice that Williams’ complicated pregnancy and subsequent physical and mental health problems likely denied her the opportunity to win more than the 23 Grand Slams she collected.
Williams was a trailblazer in regard to leading the fight for equal pay for WTA Tour professionals, achieving equal prize money in Grand Slams although there are notable discrepancies elsewhere on the tour especially in events with dual tour status.
She could be set to become the first former tennis player to become a billionaire with her investments in major sports teams set to inflate her net worth in the coming years drastically.
At the heart of this impending spike is her stake in Angel City Football Club.
Williams is part of an ownership conglomerate that includes Becky G, Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria and former US soccer star Mia Hamm.
The value of her stake in the club is reportedly set to triple in the coming years, and her value as a commercial partner is unlikely to be greatly diminished by her retirement.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
‘Pretty proud’ Iga Swiatek opens up about ‘being the target of many players’
“It was pretty crazy. I’m pretty proud of the way I adapted to all these challenges that I had to face.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz makes brutally honest injury confession after sparkling Indian Wells win
Carlos Alcaraz opened up on the problem after he got his hands on the Indian Wells title once again.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz eyeing up Novak Djokovic’s world No 1 spot after stunning Indian Wells win
Alcaraz may have to be patient for his chance to become world No 1 once again.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu gets kind Miami Open draw as Simona Halep lands blockbuster
Emma Raducanu could be set for a big rankings leap if she can find some wins over the next few months.
-
WTA Tour
Martina Navratilova compares Iga Swiatek to a tennis icon and finds her weak spot
Swiatek continues to re-write the history books with her relentless success and she set more records in Indian Wells.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek is ‘bagel queen’ again as sets stunning records with Indian Wells win
Swiatek now has the most titles after her first 23 WTA level finals in the Open Era.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu handed glorious chance to seal huge rankings boost
Raducanu about to enter a phase of her year that will offer huge potential for a rankings surge.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner gives injury update as he makes it clear he will only play in Miami on one condition
The Indian Wells Open defeat to Carlos Alcaraz was a “tough one to swallow” for Jannik Sinner.
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings Winners and Losers from Indian Wells: Angie Kerber +265, Naomi Osaka +58, Emma Raducanu -38
Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki and Naomi Osaka set for big jumps.
-
ATP Tour
Pundit identifies turning point in Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner match – ‘It was on Sinner’s racket’
‘Phenomenal’ Carlos Alcaraz praised for changing tactics.