‘It’s like watching Muhammad Ali’ – Serena and Venus Williams told to retire after US Open KO

SERENA and Venus Williams have been told to retire and focus solely on exhibitions – rather than go on too long like heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali did. There is growing speculation that the Williams sisters may carry on for the next two years and end it all at the LA 2028 Olympics, which is close to where they grew up in Compton. Serena, right, and Venus, left, Williams have been told to retire from tennis Credit: AP The pair have a combined age of 90 Credit: AP The pair, who have a combined age of 90, lost in the first round of the women’s doubles competition of the US Open on Friday night. Serena, 44, is eyeing up playing more singles in 2027, according to pal Carline Wozniacki. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Venus, 46, is on a 15-match losing streak in singles, which goes all the way back to July 2025. Their sporting legacies are secured – they share 30 singles Slams between them – and they will go down in history as among the greatest to play the sport. Legendary fighter Muhammad Ali was accused of fighting for too long and maybe not hanging up his gloves long before his powers had diminished. And according to former British No.1 Greg Rusedski the siblings would be better off not playing any more competitive matches. Speaking on his Off Court podcast, the 1997 US Open finalist said: “There are positives, because so many people stayed to watch their match. “And it was an exciting match at the US Open. Most read in Sport “Part of me is thinking, Serena and Venus, your story is amazing, what you guys have done to make it to world No.1. The eyeballs you have brought to our sport. “But losing first rounds all of the time, it’s kind of like watching Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer in my opinion, just going on a little bit too long at times. “I feel like you don’t need to be on the main Tour to participate. You can do what Federer did, a wonderful exhibition (at the US Open) with Andy Roddick. “You will go down in history as two of the greatest players, if not the greatest woman in Serena Williams. “So, maybe it’s time to move away from the main tour and do things outside of tennis. “Play some exhibitions. You can sell them out. Do them at the Slams. The pair have been told to focus on exhibitions Credit: AP There is hope they would compete at the LA Games in two years time Credit: AFP “The results aren’t happening. How many matches have they won so far? “What is it for Venus? Fifteen straight first-round losses. “Serena comes back at Wimbledon and loses in the first round to Maya Joint. Then she comes back in the doubles and loses first round with Venus, even though it was an exciting match. “Okay, how much more are you going to do this for? “Maybe a lot of people love it and that’s fine but I feel that, let’s move on to the next generation.” ++ Watch the “Off Court with Greg Rusedski” podcast on YouTube Comment now