Williams bid an emotional farewell to the game she ruled for over 20 years at the USA Open on Friday night time and later on stated she sought after to stick connected to the sport.
“Tennis has been such a huge part of my life, I can’t imagine not being involved in tennisshe told reporters.
“I have no idea what that involvement is but.”
Words cannot describe what #Serena has meant to us all. https://t.co/a4YvBgNhOL
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 1662171765000
ESPN holds broadcasting rights for three of the four Grand Slams and two-time doubles major champion and ESPN analyst Luke Jensen told Reuters that Serena would be welcomed with open arms.
“We would completely like to have her and Venus within the sales space,” he said.
“I’m now not in the ones negotiations or anything else however in case you take a look at the John McEnroes, the Chris Everts, the folk which can be true legends within the sport, by means of staying on the subject of the sport, their manufacturers keep sturdy.”
To the https://t.co/PtcMNoa8d2
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 1662238952000
An ESPN spokesperson stated the community could be open to the likelihood.
“If both sister is enthusiastic about exploring that direction in retirement, in fact we’d unquestionably welcome any alternative and would feel free to speak to them,” said ESPN’s Dave Nagle.
While some like NFL quarterback Tom Brady are more than ready to leap into broadcast, setting up a lucrative exit ramp from the playing field to the commentary booth before they’ve even called time on their career, others want to take their time before stepping in front of the camera.
Serena Williams’ 108 #USOpen match wins is one of her many impressive records. https://t.co/pNeIy1OT69
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 1662237673000
Former world number one McEnroe has one of the most recognizable voices in tennis but waited 15 years after retiring from singles competition before signing with ESPN.
Others like 12-time major champion Billie Jean King have also carved out a spot behind the scenes of their sport. The tennis legend steps into her eponymous complex each year at the US Open, making media appearances on her own terms.
With her charisma, comfort in front of the camera and massive following, Williams would be a natural fit for TV and would provide a fresh perspective, said Neal Pilson, president of Pilson Communications and the former president of CBS Sports.
“She too can deliver a singular fresh solution to the sport which is these days missing since nearly the entire ability now operating the Grand Slam occasions is no less than one era got rid of from taking part in the game,” he said.
“The two questions you will have to ask are, does she be interested in pursuing the chance given the entire different circle of relatives, industry and existence choices she now will have to make, and is she in a position to be essential and analytical of the taking part in talents of her former competition ?”
No matter what path she chooses, the 40-year-old American will no doubt continue to have an impact on the sport she helped revolutionize.
“While she is also outdated within the context {of professional} tennis gamers, she’s nonetheless an excessively younger girl and nonetheless has a few years of incomes attainable,” said Irwin Kishner, co-chair of the Sports Law Group at New York law firm Herrick, Feinstein LLP.
“Staying on the subject of the game can handiest strengthen that and there are many examples of celebrity athletes who transitioned to the sales space and feature accomplished so in an excessively a hit and financially rewarding approach from Troy Aikman to Charles Barkley.”