Serena Williams announced Tuesday that she is ‘retiring from tennis’ and planned to retire from the sport she dominated at 23 Grand Slam tafter the US Open, which starts later this month.
Below are reactions to Serena Williams’ announcement Tuesday that she plans to retire from the sport after the US Open:
FORMER WORLD FIRST BILLY JEAN KING
“When Serena retires from tennis, she will retire as the sport’s greatest player. After a career that inspired a new generation of players and fans, she will forever be known as a champion who won on the court and raised the sport’s global status in the process.”
FORMER FIRST WOMAN OF THE WORLD JOHN McENROE TODAY IN THE USA
“She should do whatever she wants. She is an icon. Her place in American society has moved to where she deserves it after all that she has accomplished, all that she has done.
“I don’t know the answer to whether she wants to play again, I don’t think she needs to play again. She is on the same level as Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tom Brady.
“She’s like one of the greatest athletes of all time in the history of any sport, male or female. It seems to be a great place in her life. She added a lot.
“Anyone who has seen the movie (King Richard) understands where they came from and where she is now is unbelievable, so she can spend the rest of her life in ‘not bad?’
FORMER WORLD THIRD PAM SHRIVER ESPN
“She has made an impact on tennis on and off the court. She took tennis out of the sports pages and into pop culture. It unites people of all generations, of different origins. She became a great public speaker, philanthropist and matured before our eyes.
“Of course she had moments at the US Open that were tough for her and for us to watch, but at the end of the day she will go down as one of the great athletes, not just in tennis, but in the history of the sport.
“When you think about her longevity, winning majors as a teenager in the 90s and still competing in 2022, her Olympic record, major doubles finals with Venus… I could go on endlessly.”
FORMER AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION DENMARK CAROLINA WAZNIATSKI
“I love you and I’m so proud of you.”
AMERICAN TENNIS PLAYER TAYLOR TOWNSEND
“Love you Serena! Thank you for the path you and @venuswilliams paved for me to be here creating a life for myself and my son! You will be missed, but very excited to see what happens next.
“PHOENIX SUNS GUARD CHRIS PAUL
“The ultimate competitor!!! Congratulations @SerenaWilliams on an impressive career.”
