Serena Williams introduced her retirement from tennis within the September 2022 subject of Vogue on Tuesday, prompting a wave of reward and help from followers who’ve carefully adopted her 27-year profession. “I’ve by no means preferred the phrase retirement. It does not really feel like a contemporary phrase to me,” Williams stated. “I am right here to let you know that I am evolving away from tennis, towards different issues which are necessary to me.” In honor of the tennis star’s a long time of affect and inspiration, former First Woman Michelle Obama shared a heartfelt Instagram publish in reward of Williams following her announcement.
“We have all watched you put on the crown of greatness with the form of humility, grace, and integrity that every one of us can aspire to.”
“Serena, thanks for all the things that you have carried out to interrupt limitations and to be a optimistic gentle on this world,” she captioned the publish, which featured pictures of the pair hugging on the White Home. “We have all watched you put on the crown of greatness with the form of humility, grace, and integrity that every one of us can aspire to. It has meant a lot to observe your journey as an athlete, as a mom, as a enterprise chief, and extra. I want you the very best as you evolve into this subsequent chapter. And please know that I am going to at all times be cheering you on!” Obama concluded the slideshow with a photograph of herself cheering on Williams at a match.
Over time, the previous first girl has attended quite a few tennis competitions in help of Williams, usually assembly up with the athlete after her matches to congratulate her. We might not see the pair close to a tennis court docket once more anytime quickly, however because the Olympic gold medalist strikes ahead — with the intention of rising her household on her personal phrases and dealing on her enterprise capital agency, Serena Ventures — we all know Obama remains to be cheering her on from the sidelines.