New York: Serena Williams Said she is “living unclear” on her expected retirement. Tennis after getting there US Open second round on monday
“I’ve been pretty vague about it, haven’t I? I’m going to be vague because you never know,” the 40-year-old said after beating Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3.
Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam winner, said earlier this month that she was “getting away” from tennis and the “countdown” to her retirement after 27 years as a professional is on.
Prior to Monday, the former world number one had won just one match on the tour throughout the year and her ranking had slipped to 605.
Such form led her to reveal that she was on the verge of retirement and hinted that this US Open would be her farewell.
However, the guessing game over his concrete plans for his future continued on Monday, with mixed messages on the court and then at his post-match news conference.
“It was such a difficult decision,” Williams told her on-court interviewer when asked about her original announcement in an essay for Vogue magazine.
“I think when you’re passionate about something it’s always hard to walk away from it,” she said.
“I’m trying to decide what to do. I love this sport.
She continued: “I think the time has come. I have a family and there are other chapters in life. I call it evolution.”
“It’s like Serena 2.0. I’ll still be crazy, I’ll still be intense. I’ll still be around. But I’m not too eager to wake up and run on the tennis court.”
On Monday, Williams, who arrived on court in a diamond-encrusted black dress and jacket that lit up under the lights, endured a nervous game in the first game to serve.
The American star put the crowd on their feet with a 2-0 break chasing the net cord to hit a winner.
World number 80 Kovinic has enjoyed a solid year at the Slam, reaching the third round of the Australian and French Opens.
The 27-year-old made a comeback with a break of his own to lead 3-2.
However, Williams buried the error count – she served six double faults in the opener – and then ran away from the next three games to take the first set.
A crunching drive from behind the court resulted in another break for 3-2 in the second set.
A love service game gave the American a 5-3 lead and the final break of the night gave him the win.
She celebrated with a small jig and a broad smile at the baseline, much to the delight of a crowd that included tennis legend Martina Navratilova, former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and former US President Bill Clinton.
The crowd took to cards to chant “Serena, we love you”.
Williams will next face Estonia’s No. 2 seed Annette Kontaveit in the second round on Wednesday.
“I’ve been pretty vague about it, haven’t I? I’m going to be vague because you never know,” the 40-year-old said after beating Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3.
Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam winner, said earlier this month that she was “getting away” from tennis and the “countdown” to her retirement after 27 years as a professional is on.
Prior to Monday, the former world number one had won just one match on the tour throughout the year and her ranking had slipped to 605.
Such form led her to reveal that she was on the verge of retirement and hinted that this US Open would be her farewell.
However, the guessing game over his concrete plans for his future continued on Monday, with mixed messages on the court and then at his post-match news conference.
“It was such a difficult decision,” Williams told her on-court interviewer when asked about her original announcement in an essay for Vogue magazine.
“I think when you’re passionate about something it’s always hard to walk away from it,” she said.
“I’m trying to decide what to do. I love this sport.
She continued: “I think the time has come. I have a family and there are other chapters in life. I call it evolution.”
“It’s like Serena 2.0. I’ll still be crazy, I’ll still be intense. I’ll still be around. But I’m not too eager to wake up and run on the tennis court.”
On Monday, Williams, who arrived on court in a diamond-encrusted black dress and jacket that lit up under the lights, endured a nervous game in the first game to serve.
The American star put the crowd on their feet with a 2-0 break chasing the net cord to hit a winner.
World number 80 Kovinic has enjoyed a solid year at the Slam, reaching the third round of the Australian and French Opens.
The 27-year-old made a comeback with a break of his own to lead 3-2.
However, Williams buried the error count – she served six double faults in the opener – and then ran away from the next three games to take the first set.
A crunching drive from behind the court resulted in another break for 3-2 in the second set.
A love service game gave the American a 5-3 lead and the final break of the night gave him the win.
She celebrated with a small jig and a broad smile at the baseline, much to the delight of a crowd that included tennis legend Martina Navratilova, former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and former US President Bill Clinton.
The crowd took to cards to chant “Serena, we love you”.
Williams will next face Estonia’s No. 2 seed Annette Kontaveit in the second round on Wednesday.