In a teary on-court interview at the US Open, Serena Williams talked about her retirement plans and reiterated that she will not reconsider.
An interviewer asked about her retirement plans and whether there are any chances of her extending her career or whether she would reconsider her decision. To this Serena replied "I don't think so, but you never know."
The 23-time Grand Slam champion staved off five match points to prolong the three-hours-plus proceedings, but could not do more, and was eliminated from the U.S. Open in the third round by Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 on Friday night in what is expected to be her final contest.
"It's been a fun ride," she added.
“It’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on in my life,” Williams, wiping tears, said on court after the match, reports The New York Times.
"I'm just so grateful to every single person that's ever said, 'Go, Serena,' in their life. I'm just so grateful. You got me here."
She also expressed her gratitude to her parents Richard Williams and Oracene Price as well as her elder sister, Venus Williams. “I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus, so thank you, Venus. She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed,” said the tennis superstar.
"It all started with my parents," Williams said. "They deserve everything. So I'm really grateful for them."
