I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye’ — Serena Williams Opens Up About Her Most Painful Exit Yet
Even for a legendary competitor like Serena Williams, some goodbyes hit harder than others. While her “evolution” away from tennis, culminating at the 2022 US Open, was a planned transition into new chapters of her life, it’s clear from recent
reflections that the emotional toll of that final departure was immense. Serena, known for her stoic resolve on court, has now candidly admitted, “I wasn’t ready to say goodbye,” shedding light on the profound pain intertwined with stepping away from the sport that defined so much of her existence.
Her last matches were a spectacle, drawing unprecedented crowds and a wave of raw emotion from fans. Every point felt charged with the weight of history, every swing a testament to a career that reshaped tennis. Yet, beneath the roaring
ovations and the celebratory atmosphere, a personal struggle was unfolding. The concept of “retirement” itself was something she famously disliked, preferring “evolution” to describe her shift. But even an evolution away from something so
deeply ingrained, so intrinsically part of her identity, brought an undeniable grief. It’s a poignant reminder that even for global icons who choose their own path, the act of closing such a significant chapter can be a truly heartbreaking experience, leaving an ache that time, and new ventures, slowly heal.
