Sports
With 23 Grand Slams, Serena Williams retires as tennis all-conquering queen
After a 27-year professional career in tennis that brought 39 grand slam titles — 23 singles titles, 14 doubles titles, and two mixed doubles titles — and an avalanche of records, Serena Williams takes a bow as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court.
Arguably the greatest female tennis player of all time, Williams’ illustrious career came to an end on Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium where she lost 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 to Ajla Tomljanovic during this year’s US Open.
The 40-year-old American, who had earlier stated that she will retire from the sport after the tournament, burst into tears as she thanked her family — including father Richard, mother Oracene, and elder sister Venus — for the roles they played in her prestigious career.
“Thank you Daddy, I know you’re watching.
Thanks Mom. Oh my God,” Williams said during the post-match interview with Mary Joe Fernández, as tears ran down her face.
“I just thank everyone that’s here, that’s been on my side, so many year, decades, oh my gosh literally decades.
“But it all started with my parents and they deserve everything so I’m really grateful for them.
“I wouldn’t be Serena if it wasn’t [for] Venus, so, thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed.”
Asked what she will do now that she is officially done with her career, she said: “I think that, I’m definitely, probably going to be karaoking.”
Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.
She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others
