Three years after retiring from professional tennis, Serena Williams has experienced another unexpected injury, this time while exploring a sport outside the tennis court.
Her last match against Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open marked the end of her legendary tennis career, leaving fans hopeful she could enjoy retirement free from major injuries.
“I am a tennis player, you know. I love padel. I love tennis,” Williams explained.
“But only because I hurt myself playing pickleball, and I’m used to playing with tennis rackets, and that pickleball racket is actually way heavier than a tennis racket if you could actually imagine it’s way smaller. And ever since I have hurt myself, I’ve been like meh.”
Serena Williams injury history
Injuries were a defining feature of Williams’ career. From multiple knee problems between 2004 and 2006 to a pulmonary embolism in 2011, and later shoulder inflammation and another knee setback in 2016, she faced numerous physical challenges.
An Achilles tendon injury also cut short her 2020 season.
Despite these obstacles, she repeatedly returned to the court at the highest level.
Her recent pickleball injury comes after she publicly expressed excitement for the sport.
In 2023, a viral clip showed her holding two paddles, saying, “I finally got my paddle, Jamie. It only took 3 months, but I finally got it, and it is gonna be The Best Paddle. I can tear it up, and I will tear you up,” with Venus Williams joining in the video.
Even Alexis Ohanian, her husband, has shared skeptical views on pickleball.
In a 2022 interview with Adweek, he questioned the sport’s popularity, saying, “Until I see a pickleball highlight go viral, I don’t think it’s a real sport.”
His remarks add to ongoing debates as supporters push for pickleball to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
As Williams explores life after tennis, her recent injury highlights that even post-retirement, new challenges can arise in unexpected ways.
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