Serena Williams has been backed to "go out with a bang" as the tennis icon prepares to contest the final tournament of her illustrious career at the US Open.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion announced her decision to retire in September’s edition of Vogue. Williams will walk away from the sport after the US Open, the fourth and final major tournament of the season.
Since Williams’ announcement on Tuesday, fans and figures from the sporting world have paid tribute to her incredible career. Many hailed the 40-year-old as the 'Greatest Of All Time' and hope to see her perhaps match Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles.
And speaking after the dramatic news, her former coach Rick Macci - who trained both Williams sisters earlier in their careers - claimed he was not surprised by her decision. Speaking to TMZ , Macci said: “It doesn't surprise me.
“Listen, she's doing this on her terms. She has a lot of things going on. I'm just happy for her because she's making the decision and she's doing it on her terms.
“It's not an injury, she's not hanging on too long or anything like that, but what I really like it's gonna end at the US Open. That's where she won her first Grand Slam and people in New York love it.
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“I think it's gonna be a must-see TV and knowing Serena, she's gonna go out with a bang.”
The 67-year-old then sent a message to Williams, congratulating her on an illustrious career. He added: “You're doing it on your terms. Most of all, you're happy and that's the most important thing.
“You've influenced so many people's lives, you have no idea. Not just people playing tennis and to me, I think your greatest act is yet to come.”
A day after announcing her plan to retire, Williams was beaten in straight sets by Swiss star Belinda Bencic in the second round of the Canadian Open. Bencic dropped just six games in a 6-2 6-4 victory where Williams showed flashes of her best but she was ultimately too rusty.
The 40-year-old has plenty of interests off the court, such as her venture capital firm Serena Ventures, which reportedly raised an inaugural fund of £91.4 million last March. Both Serena and Venus are minority owners of NFL franchise Miami Dolphins, while the former is also part owner of a National Women’s Soccer League team.
Williams was among the executive producers of King Richard, the award-winning movie starring Will Smith as her father. She also has her own sustainable clothing line, S by Serena.
The 2022 US Open main draw begins on Monday August 29 and runs for two weeks in New York.
