Serena Williams wears a Balenciaga gown. Bulgari High Jewelry earring, covering US Vogue September 2022, lensed by Luis Alberto Rodriguez.

The US Vogue September 2022 headline is clickbait! Seriously, I was already weeping when the news broke and almost made a major error in another article on Naomi Osaka, repeating what was being broadcast.

Serena Williams did not make her gorgeous appearance in Vogue’s Fall 2022 September fashion issue, styled by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson in images by Luis Alberto Rodriguez [IG] to say farewell. Both talents — GKF and LAR — must be basking in this creative moment. Congrats, you two.

Rather, Serena Williams is dealing with the reality of retiring from women’s professional tennis. The truth is upon her — and not only because of her age which is 41 this August.

Olympia wants to be a big sister and reminds Serena of this fact ALL the time. It’s a fact that Olympia wants a sister. No boys allowed. Adoption? Genetic screening? Time will tell.

Yes, Serena does speak of her upcoming retirement, but not because she notes the date. She will play again tomorrow in Toronto at the Canadian Open, aka National Bank Open, after winning her first match in 430 days yesterday, beating Nuria Parrizas Diaz.

Serena Williams wears a Balenciaga gown with massive train held by daughter olympia. Bulgari High Jewelry earring, covering US Vogue September 2022, lensed by Luis Alberto Rodriguez.

I’ve been reluctant to admit that I have to move on from playing tennis. It’s like a taboo topic. It comes up, and I start to cry. I think the only person I’ve really gone there with is my therapist

Serena is set to play in the US Open, beginning August 29 until Sunday, September 11. I see new headlines saying the GOAT will retire after the US Open, win or lose. Serena does not write those words.

Could we please just let the woman speak, rather than writing clickbait headlines? Because Serena Williams has written a superb essay on being herself, but more importantly on how her self interacts with every other value and belief she holds, and every other human being who matters to her. Alas, these words prompt us to reflect, and reflection does not evoke big clickthru rates.

Well, AOC has never been about clickbait, and we have a huge and long history of writing about Serena Williams, one of the most inspiring humans on planet earth. Serena also gets big bonus points for being a woman, as AOC has been telling women’s stories since 2007.

It used to say “from fashion to flogging”, due to my work in the Arab world where women were — and are — flogged for having an ankle showing. Alas, the BDSM crowd was angry and disappointed when they confronted AOC’s serious political writing on women’s rights, thinking I was a big fan of ‘50 Shades of Grey’.

Serena Williams wears a Danielle Frankel gown in US Vogue September 2022, lensed by Luis Alberto Rodriguez.

The Vogue narrative also covers much of Serena’s work for American Vogue — and we have all the stories. So check out the entirety of Serena’s words for Vogue, while we copy Serena’s archives into the fashion section for more discussion.

We close only in this moment, with Serena’s Vogue sign off. Her essay is so powerful on so many levels, that more than one post is embedded in her own words. ~ Anne

Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun. I know there’s a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then maybe beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say, “See ya!” I get that. It’s a good fantasy. But I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment. I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst. But please know that I am more grateful for you than I can ever express in words. You have carried me to so many wins and so many trophies. I’m going to miss that version of me, that girl who played tennis. And I’m going to miss you.