Thursday, June 4, 2026

Serena Williams to Retire from Tennis, Focus on Business Empire

  • The tennis legend characterized this phase of her life as an “evolution.”
  • Williams’ VC firm has invested in over 60 companies, with 16 valued at more than $1B.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It looks like one of the greatest athletes in history will be soon calling it a career.

On Tuesday, Serena Williams said in a feature story for Vogue that she will retire from tennis, likely after the upcoming U.S. Open.

The 40-year-old was reluctant to use the word “retirement,” however, characterizing this phase of her life as an “evolution.”

Williams’ on-court accomplishments are legendary in the sport. Now, she’ll look to expand on her off-court success.

  • Her VC firm, Serena Ventures, has invested in over 60 startups, with 16 valued at more than $1B, including MasterClass, Tonal, and Impossible Foods.
  • She is a part-owner of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and the NWSL’s Angel City FC.
  • Williams has been one of Nike’s flagship athletes since 2004, and the company opened a building in her name on its Oregon campus in April.
  • Forbes estimates her net worth at $260M.

Williams said in the Vogue article that investing in women-owned businesses has been and will continue to be a priority going forward.

While much of her time will be spent building her business empire, Williams also plans to focus on her family.

After mentioning that she was two months pregnant with her daughter Olympia when she won the 2017 Australian Open, she implied that she and husband Alexis Ohanian are looking to expand their family in the near future.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chwalińska Makes French Open Final, Nearly Triples Career Earnings

Chwalińska was ranked No. 114 before the French Open began.
Jun 3, 2026; Paris, France; Maja Chwalinska of Poland tosses the ball to serve during her match against Anna Kalinskaya on day 10 at Stade Roland Garros.

French Open’s Cinderella Runs May Not Play in Wimbledon

Wimbledon finalizes its entries in mid-May, before the French Open ends.

Russia–Ukraine War Takes Center Stage at French Open

Aryna Sabalenka lost to Russian Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals Wednesday.
Serena Williams with her daughter Olympia, left, cheers for the Los Angeles Golf Club who won the TGL finals against Jupiter Links GC at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Serena Williams Confirms Tennis Comeback With Doubles Wild Card

The 23-time Grand Slam winner will play at the Queen’s Club Championship.

Featured Today

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.

The $3 Million Player Who Changed The Spurs Season

The Spurs went 39–11 with Julian Champagnie as a starter.
Jun 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) prepares for the fdfirst period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center
June 3, 2026

Hockey Canada Trial Looms Over Hart in Stanley Cup Playoffs

Carolina fans broke out into a “no means no” chant.
Jun 2, 2026; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks over during practice on media day for the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
June 3, 2026

Will There Be a Wemby Effect for NBA Finals in France?

France will have two Finals broadcasters for the first time.
Sponsored

Landon Donovan: What Soccer in America Still Needs

Landon Donovan discusses the evolution of soccer in America and investing in the NWSL.
June 3, 2026

Landon Donovan Thinks World Cup Will Boost MLS

Donovan argues hosting World Cup games will lead owners to spend more.
FILE PHOTO: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) smiles on the court after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 2, 2026

Curry’s Li-Ning Deal Is a Shot at His Own Jordan Brand

The NBA star signed a reported 10-year, $300 million deal with Li-Ning.
May 30, 2026

Shedeur Sanders Banked $17.7M in NFLPA Licensing Income

Sanders shattered the record set by Tom Brady in the 2021 season.
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 28, 2026 Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in action during his second round match against France's Moise Kouame REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
May 29, 2026

French Open Fines Player for ‘Sexist’ Comments Toward Female Umpire

Vallejo said his female official couldn’t handle a “demanding crowd.”