Serena Williams closed out her career as a professional tennis player with quite the bang last week. The Grand Slam champion received tributes from her husband, Alexis Ohanian Sr., and daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., during her time at the U.S. Open.
Alexis Olympia paid homage to her mom by wearing her hair in braids with beads that secured the ends. The youngster cheered alongside her father who rocked a t-shirt featuring a photograph of his daughter fully engaged at one of her mom’s matches. “Girl dad,” Alexis said of his role as a father.
Serena Williams announced her plans to retire from professional tennis a few weeks ago. The celebrity mom cited her daughter’s desire for a younger sibling as the main reason behind her decision to leave the game.
“In the last year, Alexis and I have been trying to have another child, and we recently got some information from my doctor that put my mind at ease and made me feel that whenever we’re ready, we can add to our family,” Serena shared in an essay written for Vogue. “I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete,” she continued. “I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out,” Williams shared with the magazine’s readers.
Some viewed Serena’s decision to retire from playing tennis professionally as a major sacrifice. “The fact is that nothing is a sacrifice for me when it comes to Olympia,” Williams shared in her farewell letter. “It all just makes sense,” she added.
Serena told her fans that her competition at the U.S. Open would be her last. The star athlete’s time at the tournament came to an end last week.
“It’s been a fun ride. It’s been the most incredible ride and journey I’ve ever been on, I mean, in my life,” Serena said during her farewell address at the U.S. Open. “I’m just so grateful to every single person that’s ever said, ‘Go, Serena,’ in their life,” Williams shared. “I’m just so grateful,” the tennis champion continued. “You got me here.”
Photo: Getty Images
