In the September 2022 issue of Vogue, Williams made it known that she was planning to evolve away from tennis. Although she did not specify that the US Open was going to be her final Grand Slam, many fans and sports brands have considered it so.
Her announcement led to record-breaking sales for the first few days of the US Open with many fans vying for the chance to see her in action one last time.
“When the world writes her down in history, well begin where she started, with love,” Beyonce narrated. “A love that started a movement. A movement to love exactly who you are.”
The commercial also featured footage of Williams throughout her career, including that of her when she was a teen. A clip also showed Williams on court with her daughter Olympia, wearing matching outfits.
To further honor Williams, Gatorade also changed its social media logos from a G to an S.
Williams has 23 Grand slam titles and has been an inspiration for many girls in and outside the sport of tennis. Some of the players who consider her a personal idol include Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, and Sloane Stephens.
She is one Grand Slam win away from tying Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams. Her last title came in 2017 when she defeated her sister Venus Williams at the Australian Open.
“I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis,” Williams wrote in Vogue. “Its like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist.”
“Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”