Serena Williams teases return to competitive tennis, says Tom Brady ‘started a really cool trend’

Williams announced before the US Open that she would “be moving away from tennis” after the grand slam, where she was knocked out in the third round by Ajla Tomljanović.

“I think Tom Brady started a really cool trend, you know…the way he did it,” Williams said on Good Morning America.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brady, now 45, said he was retiring from the NFL in February, only to later reverse the decision. He played in the Bucs’ 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

After a year-long absence, Williams made a brief return to singles tennis this year when she competed at Wimbledon, the National Bank Open, the Western & Southern Open and the US Open, winning three games. She has also competed in doubles tennis in several tournaments.

“I feel like tennis has given me so much and I feel there’s no way I don’t want to be involved in tennis in some way in the future. “, she said.

“I don’t know what that implication is yet, but I know I love the sport so much.”

During her 27-year tennis career, Williams has won 39 Grand Slam singles and doubles titles and 73 singles titles on the WTA Tour.

As part of her plan to “step away from tennis,” Williams said she would focus on her young family, while pursuing her business interests and charity ambassador roles.

She is also the author of her first children’s book, “The Adventures of Qai Qai”, about a young girl’s journey with her doll and best friend, Qai Qai. It comes out later this month.

“It’s so authentic,” Williams said. “It’s a story we made up during Covid and this particular Qai Qai book is really about using your imagination because children have such amazing imaginations.

“We couldn’t leave the house and I was playing with Olympia and our dog Qai Qai who has this amazing personality… We really wanted to put in people’s minds that we can’t forget how important it is to use your imagination and play.”