After advancing to the second round of the US Open on Monday, Serena Williams stated that she is “keeping ambiguous” about her impending retirement.
“Have I been rather vague about it? After defeating Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3, the 40-year-old said, “I’m going to remain ambiguous because you never know.”
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, announced earlier this month that she was “evolving away” from tennis and that “the countdown” to her 27-year professional career had underway.
Prior to Monday, the former world number one had only won a single match on tour for the whole year, and her ranking had dropped to 605.
She disclosed that she was on the verge of retirement and hinted that this US Open would be her last, as a result of this performance.
On Monday, though, she sent contradictory signals on the court and in her post-match press conference, prolonging the uncertainty about her future plans.
When asked about her original revelation disclosed in an essay for Vogue magazine, Serena Williams responded, “It was such a difficult decision.”
“I believe it is always difficult to walk away from something that you are passionate about,” she remarked.
“I have been deliberating over what to do. I enjoy playing this game.
She continued, “I believe the moment is now. I have a family and there are further chapters in my life. I call it evolution.”
“It’s like Serena 2.0. I will continue to be insane and intense. I will still be present. But I look forward to the day when I won’t have to rush to the tennis court.”
On Monday, Williams, who wore a diamond-encrusted black dress and blazer that glistened under the lights, overcame a tense opening game to maintain her serve.
The American star took the audience to its feet as he chased down a net cable and scored a winning goal for a 2-0 break.
The 80th-ranked player in the world, Kovinic, has had a great year at the Slams, advancing to the third round at both the Australian and French Opens.
The 27-year-old responded with her own break and took the lead at 3-2.
However, Serena Williams buried the mistake count despite serving six double faults in the first game, leveled, and then sprinted away to win the first set in the next three games.
In the second set, a second break for a score of 3-2 occurred as a result of powerful drives from the back of the court.
A love service game and the final break of the night gave the American a 5-3 advantage and the triumph.
She celebrated her victory with a small dance on the baseline and a bright smile, much to the delight of a crowd that included tennis great Martina Navratilova, former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, and former U.S. president Bill Clinton.
The fans held up cards that spelled out “We love you, Serena”
On Wednesday, Williams will face No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit of Estonia in the second round.
According to Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse