Serena Williams admits she “misses tennis like crazy” but has found something to keep her competitive spirit and that’s exercising and taking care of her diet.
The American tennis icon, who turned 43 in September, retired just over two years ago during the 2022 US Open. At the time, it wasn’t a secret that not everyone was convinced that it was indeed the end of her pro journey. Later, the former world No. 1 herself admitted that she felt tempted to return but ultimately decided to remain put.
The former 23-time Grand Slam champion may have decided against making a comeback but she remains active.
“I’ve gotten obsessed, more obsessed with diet and exercise, I think, than when I was playing tennis. I knew that I was going to burn 20,000 calories a day, and now I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I don’t know how many calories I’m going to be able to burn!’ Look at me. I’m trying to compete — not compete, rephrase — trying to do a half-marathon. That’s my new goal. So it’s just like I have to do something competitive. I miss tennis like crazy,” Williams told People Magazine.
Williams has been focused on family, business
Several months after walking away from pro tennis, the former world No. 1 announced that she was pregnant with her second child. And last August, a baby girl named Adira was born. Now, the 43-year-old is raising two daughters – seven-year-old Olympia and 15-month-old Adira.
Serena Williams and daughter Adira© Serena Williams/Instagram – Fair Use
In the same interview with People, Williams admitted that one of the reasons why she is trying to maintain an active lifestyle is because she wants to be “healthy for her kids.”
At the same time, the American tennis legend has been doing business work through her venture capital fund – Serena Ventures – which she started in 2017.