Serena Williams commanded attention as she featured on the latest cover of Vogue to announce her retirement from tennis.
The 40-year-old sports star will hang up her racket after the US Open so she can focus on spending more time with her family. She has one daughter, Olympia, who she shares with her husband Alexis Ohanian.
Serena appeared on the cover of the fashion magazine wearing an angelic blue dress as she posed on the beach with Olympia, four.
Sharing a picture of the cover to Instagram, Serena looked elegant in the floaty gown which she paired with long blue earrings. In a second photo, her daughter held up the train of the dress as she adorably hid behind it.
She captioned the post: "Vogue. September issue Cover.
"There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. 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."
Fans and friends offered their congratulations to the tennis player as she prepares to embark on the next stage of her life.
Nicola Peltz said: "THE MOST STUNNING COVER I HAVE EVER SEEN!! I love you so much!! You’re so beautiful!!!!"
Catherine McDonnell added: "Omg this is so beautiful. Excited for your next chapter mama!!!"
One fan said: "Oh mama we are so super proud of and your achievements .. you've done so well for yourself... Many more wins to you."
Another commented: "There will never be another champion like you," with a third adding: "Always in style."
Serena, who is a 23-time Grand Slam champion, told Vogue : "The way I see it, I should have had 30-plus Grand Slams. I had my chances after coming back from giving birth.
"I went from a C-section to a second pulmonary embolism to a Grand lam final. I played while breastfeeding. I played through postpartum depression.
"But I didn’t get there. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I didn’t show up the way I should have or could have. But I showed up 23 times, and that’s fine. Actually it’s extraordinary.
"But these days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter."
Vogue's September 2022 issue is available on newsstands nationwide on August 16th.
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