This year, tennis fans have witnessed the end of a massive era in modern-day tennis. Two giants of the sport, Serena Williams and Roger Federer, moved away from professional tennis within a space of two months. Both have had a significant impact on the sport and their respective circuits, i.e. WTA and ATP. Williams’ retirement wasn’t a well kept secret, but it was difficult to believe for both fans and other professional players.

Tennis enthusiasts and some well-known personalities shared similar views. Martina Navratilova, the Czech-American tennis legend, recently discussed the tennis ace’s retirement after she hinted at having a comeback next season.

Martina Navratilova’s reaction to Williams’ retirement from the sport

The 59-time Grand Slam champion, Martina Navratilova, has seen tennis legends like Serena Williams and Roger Federer grow old on the tennis court. In a recent one-on-one interview with Parade, the tennis legend talked about how she felt the first time she heard about Williams’ retirement.

She said, “Well, it had been coming for a while. COVID certainly didn’t help her because time was not a friend to either Serena Williams or Roger Federer. They weren’t able to play as much as they wanted to play and were only getting older.” 

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She also stated how, despite seeing everything through, it still made her unhappy. She said, “It was expected, but it was still sad. It’s the end of an era, a massive era. You know it’s coming but it still is like, “Really?” You just kind of get used to having Serena around and the new generation is stepping in, but still, she leaves a big hole.” The 66-year-old former player praised the tennis legend in her own way.

Because of the pandemic, many tennis players didn’t get much time and drifted apart from the sport. But now the 23-time Grand Slam champion might be thinking of having a comeback.

Navratilova believes Serena Williams pioneered the door for mothers

The former world number one has evolved since leaving the sport, but the 59-time major champion believes that her influence will carry on in the sport. The American tennis player won her final major championship at the 2017 Australian Open while expecting her daughter. Even after giving birth, the American legend continued to perform for close to five years before ending her career.

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Serena paved the path for mothers to play tennis even after having a child, said the tennis veteran. Furthermore, she stressed how players shouldn’t have to decide between being a mother and being an athlete. She also thinks that after the former world number one, more women in their 30s and 40s will start playing while also managing their family.