After her emotional exit from the US Open, some might expect Serena Williams to be taking it easy but she has no intention to do such a thing.
Heading into the final Grand Slam of 2022, the former world No.1 wrote a piece for Vogue magazine in which she said she was ‘starting to evolve’ away from the sport. Prompting high suspicion that the US Open would be the last tournament of her record-breaking career. As a result, her matches helped break attendance figures at Flushing Meadows and Williams’ third round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic became the most-watched tennis telecast on record in ESPN’s 43-year history with an average of 4.6 million viewers.
It remains to be seen what the future has in store for Williams who already has an extensive investment portfolio worth millions called Serena Ventures. Speaking about her future plans on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the 23-time Grand Slam stated that she will not be relaxing.
“I think retirement is something that is super earned and that people work really hard for,” she said.
“I feel like I’m at an age where I definitely have a lot more to give and there’s a lot more that I want to do so I’m not going to be relaxing, there’s so much more for me. I feel like it’s more of an evolution of Serena.”
Earlier this week Williams officially opened the Vogue World runway wearing a metallic silver Balenciaga gown and matching floor-length cape. The event coincides with New York Fashion Week.
“There’s so many things that I’ve been wanting to do for so many years and I’ve had such a passion for tennis for so long that I’ve never done them,” she added.
“Now it’s time for me to start to enjoy those things.”
As for tennis, the door has been partially left open for Williams to play again if she wants to. The 40-year-old has constantly remained coy when quizzed by reporters if she would return to the Tour one day.
Asked by Fallon if she could make a U-turn on her decision to walk away from the sport like NFL legend Tom Brady, Williams said, “Tom Brady started an amazing trend. That’s what I want to say.” Brady changed his decision to retire from the NFL after 40 days by agreeing to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again.
Williams’ full interview with Fallon can be watched below.