Photo: Alexis Ohanian Sr./Instagram

Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams and daughter olympia

Serena Williamsknows what she wants when it comes to her future.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, 40, appears on the cover ofTIME’s latest issue, where she discusses how the shifting priorities in her life have led to her decision to retire from the sport after over 27 years.

Admitting that daughter Olympia, who turns 5 this week, reacted to her decision to walk away from the sport with a “fist-pumping ‘Yes!’ " Williams says that the response “kind of makes me sad.”

“It’s hard to completely commit when your flesh and blood is saying, ‘Aw,’ " she shares.

Noting that her desire to grow her family is leading to “this evolution” and how that is not the case for male athletes, she says that there is “no anger.”

“I’m ready for the transition,” Williams says, adding that when it comes to being a mom, “I think I’m good at it, but I want to explore if I can be great at it.”

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MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP

Serena Williams of the US with her daughter Alexis Olympia at the Auckland Classic tennis tournament in Auckland on January 12, 2020

Williams has been open about Olympia’s eagerness for a sibling. “I can’t imagine my life without my sisters,” Williams says of her own upbringing.

Serena Williams/Instagram

Serena Willaims NYC date night with daughter Olympia

Speaking on “A Conversation with Champions” panel ahead of the U.S. Open at the Lotte New York Palace hotel in New York City, the tennis legend said that she and her 4 ½-year-old daughter share all the same interests – except the court.

“She’s really fun. I see a lot of my personality in her and it’s just a great time to have her around now to see what I do on a daily,” Williams continued of her little one, whom she shares with husbandAlexis Ohanian.

source: people.com