Venus Williams bows out in first round of women’s singles at US Open
By Tom Regan, CNN
Updated 6:14 PM ET, Fri August 10, 2013
Williams to retire at 24 as top seed in New York
Venus Williams, the American icon whose stunning victory in the U.S. Open last year was a defining moment for female tennis, announced Thursday that she will retire from the sport at the end of the year.
After six major titles, a long list of top ten finishes, and two grand slam championships, Williams will be just 24 years old when she ends her career as the top seed in the New York women’s singles tournament, which takes place on Tuesday. “As the game has progressed and I’ve gotten older, I felt like maybe it was time,” the 14-time Grand Slam champion told a packed room that included her mother, Margaret, and her sister, Mary.
“I think one of the things about the sport is time for everyone to move on to the next thing,” she added. “My next tennis goal is to be in a grand slam event and do it with my sisters.”
Williams joins the list of famous athletes who have announced that they are retiring: Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, and Tiger Woods.
Williams’ announcement to end her tennis career came from the court where she has dominated for nearly four decades. Williams was defeated by Italian teenager Urszula Radwanska in the second round of Wimbledon in 2005, but in three of the previous four years she has captured a Grand Slam title or a record-tying 15th tournament.
Williams said on Twitter today that, for her, her retirement is bittersweet. “There is a new chapter underway with the next chapter still to come.”
Williams has won five grand slam titles, two Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals and six Wimbledon titles. She will have the opportunity to be the oldest champion. Williams is the only man to defeat Steffi Graf in
