Serena Williams place on a display in the 1st round of the U.S. Open on Monday night, defeating Danka Kovinić in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

Williams was taking part in in what is probably her closing Grand Slam event. Immediately after the victory, Gayle King appeared at Arthur Ashe Stadium at one particular conclude of the court docket and launched Williams to move up to the microphone.

King requested Williams why she resolved it was time to stroll away. Williams wrote an essay about going for walks away from the activity she dominated for a number of yrs. 

Click In this article FOR More Sports Protection ON WHD News

Serena Williams, of the United States, reacts in the course of the initial spherical of the US Open up tennis championships against Danka Kovinic, of Montenegro, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in New York.  (WHD Picture/John Minchillo)

"It’s been this kind of a hard choice, you know. … It is been a very challenging conclusion mainly because I consider when you are passionate about one thing, and you adore one thing so much I believe it’s constantly tricky to walk away," Williams claimed. "Sometimes it’s harder to walk away than to not and which is been the circumstance for, so I’ve been trying to come to a decision for a very little whilst what to do."

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion joked that the activity still saved her suit.

PROTESTERS Acquire Outdoors US Open TO Call FOR AN Finish TO VACCINE Journey MANDATES

Serena Williams, of the United States, celebrates against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro during the Women's Singles Initially Spherical on Day One particular of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Center on August 29, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York Town. (Sarah Stier/Getty Pictures)

"But I was just like, ‘Alright, I imagine now’s the time. I just have a family' … There is other chapters in lifetime and, you know, I get in touch with it an evolution," she stated.

Williams admitted that "profitable" at this phase would suggest possessing achievements in her article-tennis occupation.

"I have my VC enterprise, Serena Ventures, and like I explained we devote in a large amount of people today. We devote in women of all ages and people of color and men as effectively, we invest in anyone. I actually wanted to invest additional time at property and work on my spiritual daily life and that was definitely vital to me," she mentioned.

"It is like Serena 2.. I’m even now gonna be nuts, I’m still gonna be powerful. I’ll continue to be close to."

Serena Williams, of the United States, celebrates in opposition to Danka Kovinic of Montenegro for the duration of the Women's Singles 1st Round on Working day Just one of the 2022 US Open up at USTA Billie Jean King Countrywide Tennis Centre on August 29, 2022 in the Flushing community of the Queens borough of New York Metropolis. (Elsa/Getty Illustrations or photos)

Click In this article TO GET THE WHD News App

Williams looked as good as ever against Kovinić, but will have a powerful exam in the next round Wednesday. Williams will confront the No. 2-seeded Anett Kontaveit, who defeat out Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets as very well 6-3, 6-.