Serena Williams RETIRES from tennis, ‘I’m turning 41 and something’s got to give’

: "Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair.

"A lot of people don’t realize that I was two months pregnant when I won the Australian Open in 2017.

"But I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give.

"I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people.

"Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.

"A few years ago I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family."

Serena was beaten in the first round at Wimbledon earlier this year.

She added that she's targeting one more run at US Open glory in New York later this month.

Serena has won 23 grand slam singles titles, one shy of Margaret Court's record.

The 40-year-old said: "Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York.

"But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun.

"I know there’s a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say, 'See ya!' I get that.

"It’s a good fantasy. But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.

"But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words.

"You have carried me to so many wins and so many trophies.

"I’m going to miss that version of me, that girl who played tennis. And I’m going to miss you."