The year 2022 has seen some emotional exits from tennis. Earlier this year, Ashleigh Barty announced her shock retirement from tennis shortly after winning the Australian Open title. Further, at the French Open, local hero Jo Wilfried Tsonga bid an emotional adieu before the home crowd. Recently, 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams announced her retirement from tennis after the US Open.

While it is difficult to imagine a player making a comeback at the age of 40, Serena returned to the tennis court after her long-term absence due to a hamstring injury. However, she has decided to hang up her boots after the Grand Slam tournament in her home country later this month. As she called an end to her illustrious tennis career, the likes of Billie Jean King reacted to the news.

Billie Jean King congratulates Serena Williams on her illustrious tennis career

Tennis legend Billie Jean King was full of praise for her compatriot after her retirement announcement. She said, “I think women were blessed to have Serena Williams in our sport. Great athlete, lot of people think she is the GOAT and I think every generation gets better, so right now, she is the GOAT. I love reading about her and listening to her about how she is evolving.”

Further, she added, “Serena has transcended our sport, gone way beyond the boundaries of just being an athlete because of her stature, using tennis as a platform way beyond just the sport, giving back and also making it better for women, particularly women of color.” 

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Meanwhile, other fellow tennis players also reacted to Serena’s retirement. American tennis sensation, Coco Gauff said, “I think what makes her the GOAT is her personality in all that she’s done for off the court, to fight for equality, to fight for young players like me and continue to lead in the way she does lead and I think that’s what we really should be focused on.”

Serena’s daughter Olympia applauds her mother

After Williams’ second-round match at the National Bank Open, her daughter Olympia applauded her mother from the stands. The former world number one tried hard but couldn’t overcome the challenge of Belinda Bencic. Subsequently, Serena got emotional during the post-match interview.

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Before her retirement after the US Open, Serena Williams will play at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati next week.