Serena Williams achieved an iconic feat by winning her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant with her first child, against her sister Venus. Following Alexis Olympia’s birth in 2018, four years later, in 2022, this seemingly unstoppable force announced her “evolution” from tennis. At the time, reflecting on the unique challenges, she had stated, “I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete. I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.” Since then, she has welcomed her second child, Adira, and has established herself in the entrepreneurial world with her businesses. Now, two years after her transition, how does this icon reflect on that pivotal decision?
Since stepping off the court in 2022, Serena went on to welcome her second daughter, Adira in 2023! However, since then, we’ve also seen her be a busy bee with her business at Serena Ventures, Wyn Beauty and fashion! But does the life of hustle ever remind her or make her reminisce the thrill of a match on hard courts, where she once excelled? “I miss it a lot, with all my heart,” she said to Time Magazine on April 16.
Williams admits, “I miss it because I’m healthy,” suggesting her fit state at 43 fuels thoughts of a return. 1 While acknowledging the intriguing possibility that her health stems from retirement, she deems a comeback “highly unlikely.” The pull of motherhood is too strong: “I just can’t peel myself away from these children.”
Reflecting on her second child, Adira, she affirms, “Another reason I had to transition was because I wanted to have more kids. And I look at Adira and I’m like, ‘Was it worth it?’ I literally thought about it the other day. I was like, ‘Yeah, it was definitely worth it.’”
Since retiring, Serena Williams frequently shares heartwarming moments with daughters Alexis Olympia and Adira River. We see Olympia joining her in kitchen adventures and even Super Bowl rehearsals, with Adira already echoing Serena’s “Come On!” cheer. Prioritizing family, Serena has stated that her children bring her the greatest joy, even more than Wimbledon trophies, especially moments like volunteering at Olympia’s school.
While she seems sure about not coming back to the court, Williams really meant it when she said she wasn’t just going to fade away after tennis. Fans have watched her absolutely deliver on her promise to become a powerhouse businesswoman. Over the past 15 years, she’s invested her own money in more than 120 companies—seriously, 14 of those are now valued at over $1 billion!
Her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, has raised over $100 million in outside capital since 2021 and has invested in more than 30 companies just in that span. The pace at Serena Ventures is wild—deal flow there has actually quadrupled in the last year. She’s clearly not slowing down, and it’s inspiring to see her put her energy into building something so impactful. Is there more to come?
Serena Williams on her next move in business and how it much it cost her
Serena Williams celebrated a big milestone on April 2—her makeup label Wyn Beauty turned one! To mark the occasion, the brand threw a fun two-day pop-up event in Los Angeles on April 11 and 12. This wasn’t just a party; it showed how Serena’s entrepreneurial spirit is thriving. Inspired by mixing sun cream and foundation in the Wimbledon locker room, she spent years creating a brand that truly reflects diversity and inclusivity.
At the pop-up, Serena opened up about the sacrifices she makes to succeed in business. She told People Magazine on April 11, “Yeah, it definitely costs a lot. I’m here [in California] without my kids, and that’s a big cost for me because I spend a lot of time with my children, and they’re very attached to me, which a part of me loves. So, it’s always some cost.” Throughout her career, she’s had to make tough choices between winning championships and spending time with family, knowing those costs are high.
After all the hard work, Serena is ready to slow down a bit. She happily declared, “I’m done! I’m not launching anything else like this. I just am happy doing WYN Beauty. And I’m happy being a mom, and I’m happy with my venture company, and that’s a lot. We’re good!” It’s clear she’s proud of what she’s built and is focusing on balancing business and family life.
Now, fans are left wondering what’s next. Will Serena focus more on family adventures with her husband Alexis Ohanian and their daughters? Whether she expands her family or just enjoys the moment, one thing’s certain—Serena always surprises us. What do you think she’ll do next? Share your thoughts below!
The post “Wanted to Have More Kids”- Legendary Serena Williams Gets Candid on Why She Chose to Retire From Tennis appeared first on EssentiallySports.
