Serena Williams Announces Intention to Retire From Tennis, Planning for Baby No. 2

Beyonce is helping honor her close friend Serena Williams!

Serena Williams' participation in the upcoming US Open in New York was already set to be quite the emotional one, and it just became all the more special.MORE: Serena Williams mourns heartbreaking loss with emotional tributeThe iconic tournament, which started on 23 August and runs through 11 September, sets the stage for the tennis star's very last competition,  having announced that she would retire after competing in it earlier this summer.Now, as the tournament is underway, Serena is proving she will really go out with a bang – and just the way she kicked off her career over two decades ago –  with none other than her sister Venus Williams by her side.WATCH: Serena offers rare glimpse into her bedroomMORE: Serena Williams shares surprising family photo featuring Meghan Markle – fans reactThe legendary sisters have received a wildcard entry, and will be playing together for the women's doubles tournament.It is the first time the two have joined forces to play at a major together since the French Open in 2018. The second time they won their Grand Slam doubles together was at the US Open in 1999, and Serena won her first of her whopping twenty-three major titles at the very same event.Reunited and it feels so good ❤️ This will be the first time Serena and Venus Williams have played at a major together since the French Open in 2018. #ThatsaW pic.twitter.com/Di8Isk3V0YTheir attendance just became all the more specialThe doubles draw is set to begin on Wednesday, 31 August, though the mom-of-one's first singles match will be against Danka Kovinic on Monday.

Serena Williams and her sister Venus will make an appearance together at the U.S. Open after receiving a wild card entry. This tournament is believed to be Serena’s last as she recently announced an “evolution” away from tennis recently.

Serena Williams has paid tribute to her beloved dog Lauerlei after the eight-year-old sadly passed away.MORE: Serena Williams left emotional after crushing defeat following retirement news"Lauerlei sadly took her last breath yesterday. I am sad but happy for all the time and all the extra I got to spend with her.

Serena Williams is "​evolving away from tennis," retired tennis legend John McEnroe is weighing in on the superstar's indelible legacy.The outspoken athlete recently chatted with ET's Kevin Frazier, while promoting his forthcoming Showtime documentary, and he reflected on Williams' retirement and final US Open.«I hope it goes well for her, but it doesn’t matter ultimately [because] she's an icon,» McEnroe said. «She's like Muhammad Ali, in a way, and Michael Jordan, Billie Jean King, Tom Brady. I mean, she's up with the all-time athletes, whether she wins a match or she wins the tournament.»«I mean, she's won so much, [and] she seems to be in a great place and that’s what matters,» he added. «Hopefully she'll be able to sort of inspire more kids to play the sport of tennis in the future.»McEnroe's praise comes nearly five years after the tennis star found himself in hot water over remarks he made about Williams that many critics felt were sexist.

Serena Williams has revealed that Prince Harry helped her with the decision to retire from tennis, after spending an hour speaking about it to the royal. Earlier this month, the tennis pro announced that she would be retiring to pursue projects outside the world of sport – and it's now been revealed that Prince Harry was part of that decision.

star from the U.K. has been making history like it's the easiest thing in the world.

Serena Williams has a lot of change coming her way, having announced just this month that she would be retiring from competitive tennis after over twenty years on the court.MORE: Serena Williams left emotional after crushing defeat following retirement newsWith such a change can easily come a lot of stress too, and during a recent conversation with Selena Gomez for Wondermind, a "mental fitness" platform co-founded by the actress, the athlete opened up about the efforts she puts into maintaining her mental health.She discussed how she takes care of herself, especially amid tumultuous times, and detailed the importance of boundaries.WATCH: Serena shares rare glimpse into her bedroomMORE: Serena Williams' bespoke Miami mansion where she'll spend retirement - tourSelena was immediately cognizant of the changes in Serena's life, kicking off the conversation by asking: "I can tell that you've been working a lot, so, how do you feel?"The tennis star was careful with her words, and said: "Everything is good," before candidly admitting: "It's never really great, it's always something that I think you deal with," referring to "mental fitness."She further explained: "Whether it's physical – like my back right now – or whether it's mental… but it's really about managing.A post shared by Wondermind (@officialwondermind)The candid conversation about "mental fitness""It's really about managing and how you're able to do it, and how you're able to kinda just manage your emotions, your feelings and everything and still be able to perform."MORE: Serena Williams announces tennis retirement as she plans to expand her familyMORE: Serena Williams discusses changing routines with husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter OlympiaTransparent about all

in Vogue’s September issue that she will be stepping back from professional tennis imminently—which many understood to mean that this year’s U.S. Open would be her last—the world has been watching the 40-year-old tennis legend’s every move more closely than ever. The day after her story was published, Williams played the Canadian Open in Toronto and was given a standing ovation, while ticket sales for the U.S.

Serena Williams bid a tearful goodbye to Toronto, leaving it all on Sobeys Stadium’s Centre Court after competing in Wednesday night’s Canadian Open.

Serena Williams was pictured wiping away tears following an emotional defeat at the Canadian Open on Wednesday.SEE: Serena Williams' bespoke Miami mansion where she'll spend retirementThe tennis ace, who announced her retirement plans in an interview with British Vogue, was sadly defeated by 2020 Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Despite the loss, Serena received a standing ovation from the crowd and was clearly moved by the reaction as she struggled to disguise her emotions.WATCH: Serena Williams shares sweet family videoHer defeat marks her final time at the tournament as a player, and speaking in a post-match interview to the Tennis Channel, Serena admitted that it has been "a pretty interesting 24 hours," following her bombshell news."It's just been so memorable," she told the outlet.

Michelle Obama took to social media to share a heartfelt message to Serena Williams after learning the beloved athlete would retire from tennis right after the U.S Open. “Serena, thank you for everything that you’ve done to break barriers and to be a positive light in this world,” she captioned the Instagram post. “We’ve all watched you wear the crown of greatness with the kind of humility, grace, and integrity that all of us can aspire to.

Vogue essay on “evolving away from tennis” has given women around the world “goosebumps” for voicing their shared reality. The first-person piece from the tennis great laid bare the reality that women are faced with a unique dilemma when it comes to choosing between being a parent and pursuing their career. “Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family.

Michelle Obama often shares snippets of her life on social media and is a great cheerleader for those she admires and cares about.MORE: Michelle Obama reveals sad news about daughters Malia and SashaMost recently, the former FLOTUS took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend, tennis champion Serena Williams, following the news of her retirement.Michelle shared a series of photos of the pair together from over the years, including pictures of her cheering Serena on in the crowds during a tennis tournament.VIDEO: Michelle Obama gives rare glimpse into family lifeIn the caption, she wrote: "Serena, thank you for everything that you've done to break barriers and to be a positive light in this world.MORE: Malia Obama steps out in sporty look following birthday celebrationsREAD: Barack Obama mourns sad family death with heartbreaking tribute"We've all watched you wear the crown of greatness with the kind of humility, grace, and integrity that all of us can aspire to. It has meant so much to follow your journey as an athlete, as a mother, as a business leader, and more.

saying ta-ta to tennis. After seven Wimbledon and seven Australian Open titles, six US Open trophies and three French Open crowns, Williams, 40, is officially retiring from the sport, she announced Tuesday. However, she was reluctant to use the word “retirement,” a term she finds outdated.

announced she’s “evolving away” from the sport on Tuesday in an essay for Vogue. Williams added that this year’s US Open, beginning Aug. 29, will be her final tournament. Fittingly, she’ll bow out on the very same stage where she won her first Grand Slam in 1999 at just 17 years old.It’s the biggest departure from US tennis since Andy Roddick hung up his racket in 2012 — but much more massive than that.Roddick only won one slam, after all.

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Serena Williams is farewelling the sport that gave her worldwide recognition. The athlete who ranked the world’s No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association for 319 weeks has announced in Vogue’s latest issue that she will “evolve away from tennis” after the 2022 US Open.