Google News John McEnroe predicts Venus Williams is joining Serena Williams in retirement
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 5631
John McEnroe is predicting that Serena and Venus Williams will retire together once their US Open doubles campaign is finished. On Saturday, the US Open organizers announced that the Williams sisters were granted a doubles main draw wildcard.
For the first time since 2018, the Williams sisters are playing together. Serena has already revealed her plans to retire after this year's US Open, while Venus hasn't made any official announcements. The Williams sisters play Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova in the US Open doubles first round.
“I’m going to predict that after the doubles [Venus and Serena] both retire,” McEnroe told Eurosport. “My prediction is that they’re both going to retire after the tournament is over. I don’t think Venus is going to keep playing”.
McEnroe: Serena Williams is the GOAT of GOATs
On Monday, Williams started her US Open singles campaign with a 6-3 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic. After the match, the US Open played a special montage they put together for Williams.
“Serena is the GOAT of GOATs, up there with Billie Jean King. [She has] put herself on this pedestal. It was awesome, though. It’s probably a little late for her getting the accolades, but better late than never. The USTA is thrilled they have a chance to say goodbye in this way," McEnroe added.
Meanwhile, Kim Clijsters underlined that Williams' impact on the game and influence simply can't be underestimated. Now that Williams is retiring, numerous players from the new younger generation are thanking her for inspiring them to believe in their dreams.
“My heroes growing up were [people like] Steffi Graff. Now, we see Coco Gauff [saying that her hero is Serena], and that hasn’t changed [Serena]. It felt like she could be that. We underestimate the impact she has in the tennis world and for women in general in the States, especially," Clijsters said.