Serena Williams had a well-deserved weekend of relaxation. Two days after losing to Ajla Tomljanović in the third round of the U.S.
16.08.2022 - 17:35 / etcanada.com
Serena Williams is as much of a role model off the court as she is on it. The 40-year-old athlete recently sat down for a conversation with Selena Gomez where she spoke openly about her mental health and how she learned years ago that it’s healthy for her to have boundaries.
“Mental fitness for me is just really learning to shut down,” Williams said in the interview for Gomez’s mental health platform, Wondermind,. “And you know I did this years ago, before even mental health was a topic among everyone’s mind. It was more just like, alright, I’m shutting myself down today. Just subconsciously, it was something I’ve always done.”
“And so now that I know that it’s so important to just put yourself first, especially mentally, I always have shut down moments. I have serious boundaries and I don’t let anyone cross those boundaries,” the tennis pro continued. “For me, it’s so important to make sure, every day, I have a period of, like — it’s so bad, because I really don’t do anything for me, I’m terrible at that. And I’ve said it time and time again – I’m working on it. But more or less, at least prioritizing what I need to do. And then when I’m turned off, I’m turned off.”
During their conversation, Williams also detailed how it’s important for her to mentally be in a good place in order to show up each day, not only for her career, but as a mom to her 4-year-old daughter, Olympia, whom she shares with husband Alexis Ohanian.
“It’s really about managing and how you’re able to do it,” Williams said of both physical and mental health. “It’s about being able to kind of manage your emotions and feelings and everything else still be able to perform [in day-to-day life.]”
Williams’ sit-down with Gomez comes just days after she
Serena Williams had a well-deserved weekend of relaxation. Two days after losing to Ajla Tomljanović in the third round of the U.S.
, the shed “happy tears” while talking about her family in her post-match interview on September 2. "Thank you, Daddy. I know you're watching," she said of her father, Richard Williams, according to .
Serena Williams' loss in the third round of the U.S. Open on Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium likely marked the end of her tennis career.The 40-year-old superstar announced back in August her intention to retire from the sport, and while she didn't officially use that word, she did share that she is «evolving away from tennis.»«I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,» Williams shared in a first-person account published in 's September 2022 issue. «A few years ago, I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm.
Serena Williams dropped her third-round U.S. Open match to Ajla Tomljanović, likely bringing an end to her storied career.
Serena Williams dropped her third-round U.S. Open match to Ajla Tomljanović, likely bringing an end to her storied career.Tomljanović needed a little over three hours Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York to defeat Williams 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1 to advance to the round of 16.
The end came suddenly for Serena Williams in tonight’s US Open singles match. But she battled until the last. Now the question remains if we have seen the last of one of the greatest women’s tennis players of all-time.
Serena Williams has a lot of supporters, including some of the greatest athletes in the world. The 40-year-old star is playing her last US Open, and nobody wants to miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of seeing her playing before she retires.Serena, who has a 27-years-long professional tennis career, has been cheered by many, most recently by golf legend Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods couldn’t contain his excitement as he watched Serena Williams defeat Estonia's Anett Kontaveit during the second round of the US Open -- and he wasn't the only famous face in attendance to watch her at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday.While the 46-year-old professional golfer sat in Williams’ personal box at the tournament alongside her sister, Venus Williams, and his girlfriend, Erica Herman, other celebs, including Anna Wintour, Zendaya, and Anthony Anderson, watched from elsewhere at the venue.The most important people in attendance for Serena, however, were her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter, Olympia, who continued to prove they are her biggest supporters.
Serena Williams is a tennis pro with friends in very high places. The sporting legend, 40, boasts Meghan Markle among her close friends and the pair even posed with Serena’s four year old daughter Olympia for a snap. It’s no surprise then that whenever the tennis star has a match, her box and the front row of the game is full of A-listers from the worlds of fashion, beauty and sports.
There’s a reason they call her the Greatest Of All Time.
Serena Williams had the support of fellow GOAT Tiger Williams during Wednesday’s match against Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit during the US Open.
Serena Williams just beat Danka Kovinic 6-3 in her first set of what’s anticipated to be her last U.S. Open.
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 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 recently announced her retirement to dedicate more time to her family. However, there is something she has been focusing on for a few years besides tennis.During a conversation with Selena Gomez for her mental health platform, Wondermind, the pair discussed how to stay mentally in shape.“Mental fitness for me is just really learn[ing] to shut down,” Williams said. “And you know I did this years ago before even mental health was a topic among everyone’s mind.”“It was more just like, alright, I’m shutting myself down today.
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