In a first-person essay for Vogue on Tuesday, Williams announced her decision to “evolve away” from the sport that she has played professionally and with such distinction since 1995, racking up an Open-era record 23 major titles.

Serena Williams made just her second appearance of the year this week as she defeated Nuria Parrizas at the National Bank Open in Toronto.

She admitted afterwards she was “getting close to the light at the end of the tunnel” with regards to her remarkable career, before furthering that statement with a Vogue article in which she alluded towards walking away.

Serena Williams Grand Slam singles titles

Australian Open	2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017
French Open	2002, 2013, 2015
Wimbledon	2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
US Open	1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

Serena Williams has announced that she will “evolve away from tennis” after this year’s US Open to focus on “other things that are important to me.”

In an article in Vogue, the 23-time grand slam winner said that, although she will try to win at the US Open, it is time for her to move “in a different direction.”

Citing her desire to grow her family, as well as continue working on her various business ventures, Williams insisted the decision wasn’t easy, and said she preferred using the word “evolution” instead of “retirement.”

“I’ve been reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I have to move on from playing tennis,” Williams wrote for Vogue.com. “Alexis [Ohanian], my husband, and I have hardly talked about it; it’s like a taboo topic. I can’t even have this conversation with my mom and dad. It’s like it’s not real until you say it out loud.

“It comes up, I get an uncomfortable lump in my throat, and I start to cry. The only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist! One thing I’m not going to do is sugarcoat this. I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way.”

“That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”

But, no matter what happens, her legacy will long live on for generations to come.