Serena Williams’ announcement on Tuesday (9) that she is “evolving beyond tennis”, indicating her retirement from the sport, provoked several reactions in the sporting world. The American was called an “icon” and had her legacy exalted.
The also legendary former American tennis player Billie Jean King, owner of 12 grand slam titles, highlighted Serena’s representation.
“When Serena steps away from tennis, she will emerge as the sport’s greatest player. After a career that has inspired a new generation of players and fans, she will forever be known as a champion who won on court and raised the global profile of tennis. sport outside of that,” said Billie.
The Danish Caroline Wozniaki, a personal friend of Serena and champion of the Australian Open in 2018, said she is proud of the American’s trajectory. “I love you and I’m so proud of you,” she wrote alongside a Vogue cover photo with Serena.
The former American tennis player John Patrick McEnroe, who was number 1 in the world and won 7 grand slams throughout his career, describes the tennis player as an icon.
“She should do what she wants. She’s an icon. Her place in American society has gone to a place where she deserves after all she’s accomplished, all she’s done,” he said.
John also compared the tennis player to other big names in the sport. “She’s at that level where Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tom Brady are,” he commented.
Former American tennis player Pam Shriver, owner of 21 titles, highlighted Serena’s legacy outside of sport. “She impacted tennis on the court and off. She took tennis off the sports pages and into pop culture. She connects people of all generations, diversity of backgrounds. She has become a great spokesperson, a philanthropist and has matured. before our eyes,” he said.
2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu said that Serena “definitely changed the game. There hasn’t really been anyone who has dominated like her in the women’s game. So I think she changed the game a lot in that regard.”
Williams, 40, won her last Grand Slam title in 2017 and has been battling for a difficult 24th victory, which would bring her to a draw with Australia’s Margaret Court, the tennis player who holds the record for most majors won.
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