Serena Williams: Only Reason 23-Time Major Champ Will Consider Retiring, Coach Explains

Serena Williams is back in the final at Flushing Meadows after last year's controversial showdown with Naomi Osaka AFP /

Serena Williams turned 38-years-old on Thursday and in the days leading up to her birthday, she made it clear that she has no plans to retire anytime soon. The American, who has been on the women’s tour for over 20 years is determined to get back to her best and add to her 23 Grand Slam titles before calling time on her illustrious career.

Williams is the greatest women’s tennis player in history and it can even be argued that she is among the greatest that ever played the game – male tennis players included. She gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in 2017 and returned to the tour in 2018, after which she has made four Grand Slam finals but has failed to make it 24 major wins and equal Margaret Court’s record.

The American’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou is certain that Williams will only get better in the coming months, as he believes she is still finding her best form, especially when it comes to playing in major finals, where she is under tremendous pressure. He also believes Williams can play well into her 40’s as she is in better physical condition than she was two years ago.

Williams has made it clear that every time she enters a tournament it is to come out the victor and her approach has not changed. She is keen to add to her 23 major titles and Mouratoglou believes as long as she is still able to challenge for the major titles, Williams will not hang up her racket.

Serena Williams at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 5, 2019, in Queens, New York City. Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

“If she wants, she can,” Mouratoglou told The Mirror when asked if Williams can play into her 40s. “If she feels she can still win Grand Slams I think she will keep playing.”

“She’s in better condition than she was a couple of years ago. She’s still an unbelievable athlete and can still compete – she reached the final of her last four Grand Slams – so she doesn’t need to prove anything."

“She doesn’t play to be there, she plays to win. If she doesn’t feel she can win Grand Slams, she’s out of tennis. She’s still hungry. She hasn’t changed. She’s an incredible competitor and when she plays a tournament she wants to win.”