Should Serena Williams Retire After US Open Fiasco?

Should Serena Williams retire when she is just four Grand Slam titles short of having the most successful record in the history of women’s tennis?

Tennis legend Andre Agassi once wrote that tennis is the loneliest sport. On the tennis court, a player has nothing but space, a net and another player. Tennis players are on their own with zero guidance or support. In most cases, they cannot come into any contact with their coach during a match. They win, implode and lose alone.

• Serena Williams was 44-3 before her 2015 U.S. Open loss
• Online sportsbooks in the U.S. had Williams winning by 300-1 odds
• The world number one lost to Roberta Vinci who as number 43

Serena lost in the semi-final at the 2015 U.S. Open, defying the 300-1 odds set by online sportsbooks in the US. Her upset by world number 43, RobertaVinci is considered the worst upset in tennis history. Clearly Serena Williams’ greatest foe is herself. Should Serena Williams retire and enjoy the fruits of her success?

Considering her record can Serena Williams retire?

Only three other women have achieved a calendar Grand Slam. Many fans have failed to realize that Williams needed to win a fifth consecutive Grand Slam in order to achieve a calendar Grand Slam. Only Margaret Court (6 consecutive Grand Slams) and Maureen Connolly (7 consecutive Grand Slams) have accomplished that feat.

Serena Williams, one of the top 10 tennis player all time, could be the only player over 30-years old to get a calendar Grand Slam. If Serena Williams retires, it’s all over. Her quest to beat Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles is still very realistic.

Williams entered the sport at a perfect time to achieve greatness

Steffi Graf’s career was the product of more challenging timing. Luckily, the German won her calendar Grand Slam before the emergence of Monica Seles. The 19-year old’s seven Grand Slam victories in two years halted Graf’s progress. Only after Seles left tennis due to her court assault, could allow Graf to dominate.

When Serena entered the tour, no player in particular dominated. In 1999 as Graf won her last Grand Slam, Williams won her first at the U.S. Open. Her victim Martina Hingis, winner of five Grand Slams in two years, also ended her career. Probably the best time for internet betting, Serena could beat her competitors and was without a true rival.

Serena has little to prove to anyone but herself

The American has won four Grand Slams titles consecutively twice. She was 44-3 at the U.S. Open and had over twice as many WTA points as player listed below her. Although she had an elbow injury, Williams won her last tournament in straight sets over world number two Simona Halep.

Having lost three tournaments all year, Serena’s season was long and exhaustive. She was ready to take on the best in the sport. Unfortunately, the finalists were as old as Williams and had much lower rankings. Pure underestimation may have been the root of her demise.

There are some benefits to Williams losing

There may be few who have questioned should Serena Williams retire. Nevertheless, this could be the perfect time for the world number one to rest. Apart from her WTA round robin championship, the tennis season is over. The world, fans and those who bet on sports in the UScan move on with their lives.

Williams has rarely admitted to feeling pressure. It’s obvious that she can no longer enter a Grand Slam without the media highlighting the record books. With the world’s spotlight on her, Serena will have to realize that the line between making history and being history has become a lot thinner.