Why won't Venus Williams announce her retirement?

There is no point to retiring (n)
What if you want to play again in future?
Nadal should have never retired and neither should Venus !!
 
kevin qmto said:
I one cannot understand how hard it is for someone like Venus to walk away for good when she was literally bred to play tennis. It’s like someone asking a normal person to retire from breathing.
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Venus hasn't won two matches in a row in a long time, at least 5 years, and she hasn't played anything at all in the last year, not even doubles. That's enough time to accept that it's over and let the world know.
 
Not clear to me what exactly is unfair to tennis if she doesn't announce retirement. Are people suffering as a consequence?? Connors did it the same way, just fading away and not announcing retirement until he played the exhibition with Krickstein --- ten years ago, in his 60s. Far preferable to these self-aggrandizing retirement tours.
 
ollinger said:
Not clear to me what exactly is unfair to tennis if she doesn't announce retirement. Are people suffering as a consequence?? Connors did it the same way, just fading away and not announcing retirement until he played the exhibition with Krickstein --- ten years ago, in his 60s. Far preferable to these self-aggrandizing retirement tours.
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I've already mentioned it here and provided a link. Specifically, Tommy Haas got himself into an embarrassing situation because of Venus's uncertain condition when the tournament gave her a wild card, which she declined. If Venus had announced her retirement, this faux pas wouldn't have happened.

Update: It's fair to the fans to let them know you're leaving. Imagine the amount of speculation if Federer or Nadal hadn't made the announcement.
 
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Mainad said:
Some players never announce their retirements. They just stop playing at some point. Venus may do the same.
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We live in the age of social media. Today, tennis players don't have to call press conferences, but they can announce it with a status on Twitter or Instagram, nothing complicated.
 
Enceladus said:
Venus played her last WTA match in Miami last year, and she only played the Sunshine Double in 2024 season. Today I came across news that she will be commentating at Roland Garros. Why isn't Venus being fair to the tennis community and not announcing that she's finished playing professional tennis?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1918861419493130380
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Oh Please, your need for Venus to make an announcement has nothing to do with the tennis community. Always Tommy Haas was not embarrassed, but poor communication on his part. Venus never expressed any decision to play IW. The decision on how and when to retire is a personal decision. You sound a little bit desperate to see her leave the game.
 
For the health insurance.

Seriously.

I've heard her say this (unironically) on multiple podcasts and interviews. She's mentioned how she still has health insurance through the WTA and "do you know how expensive MRIs are?" Which tennis players get alot.

Obviously Venus could afford her own -- but if you can play an event every 2 years and keep it, why not, I suppose.
 
Connor35 said:
For the health insurance.

Seriously.

I've heard her say this (unironically) on multiple podcasts and interviews. She's mentioned how she still has health insurance through the WTA and "do you know how expensive MRIs are?" Which tennis players get alot.

Obviously Venus could afford her own -- but if you can play an event every 2 years and keep it, why not, I suppose.
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Venus isn’t doing anything for money :rolleyes:
 
I say cancel her health insurance as well then.
Connor35 said:
For the health insurance.

Seriously.

I've heard her say this (unironically) on multiple podcasts and interviews. She's mentioned how she still has health insurance through the WTA and "do you know how expensive MRIs are?" Which tennis players get alot.

Obviously Venus could afford her own -- but if you can play an event every 2 years and keep it, why not, I suppose.
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Her decision and hers alone. Leave it. Never understood this obsession in sport about making one person's ultimate decision about THEIR CAREER about everyone else's wants and supposed needs.

As for the fans' concern: please. It's a formality. Should she never play again and never utter a peep - even on social media, God forbid! - how hard would it be to figure out what that MEANS in terms of her career status?
 
bigbadboaz said:
Her decision and hers alone. Leave it. Never understood this obsession in sport about making one person's ultimate decision about THEIR CAREER about everyone else's wants and supposed needs.

As for the fans' concern: please. It's a formality. Should she never play again and never utter a peep - even on social media, God forbid! - how hard would it be to figure out what that MEANS in terms of her career status?
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It's not wrong at all to wonder about this. She is what 44 today? We know she will not play again so just declare it.
 
nolefam_2024 said:
It's not wrong at all to wonder about this. She is what 44 today? We know she will not play again so just declare it.
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To wonder, sure. To make demands, or have this entitlement or idea of a "right to know as fans".. ridiculous. At its core it's a decision about one person's career and life path and she alone has the right to that.

BTW, with Venus' particular track record, it's indeed possible she will play. She's hung on for far longer than most, playing here and there for whatever reason. It's why this thread exists.
 
It's like when a married couple separates...but never divorces. What happens? They are living in different homes but no official divorce papers.
 
Why do people care about Venus officially retiring or not?
At least she's not wasting WC and had the decency to reject one at Indian Wells.
 
bigbadboaz said:
To wonder, sure. To make demands, or have this entitlement or idea of a "right to know as fans".. ridiculous. At its core it's a decision about one person's career and life path and she alone has the right to that.
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mtommer said:
She doesn't have to be nor should that ever be a consideration for any player, imo.
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You are wrong. All famous tennis players are famous thanks to us, the fans, who watched them in the stadiums or on TV. Tennis is played for the people. It's polite to tell fans that you're quitting.
 
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Fedeonic said:
Why do people care about Venus officially retiring or not?
At least she's not wasting WC and had the decency to reject one at Indian Wells.
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How would you feel if Roger hadn't announced his retirement and there had been speculation for several years about whether he would still play, whether he was still an active player? That would be an undignified situation IMO.
 
Enceladus said:
How would you feel if Roger hadn't announced his retirement and there had been speculation for several years about whether he would still play, whether he was still an active player? That would be an undignified situation IMO.
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Personal reflexion: I had already assumed that Roger was retired by the time he announced his official retirement.
 
Enceladus said:
How would you feel if Roger hadn't announced his retirement and there had been speculation for several years about whether he would still play, whether he was still an active player? That would be an undignified situation IMO.
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Frankly I wouldn't have cared if Federer had chosen to do things this way, and I frankly don't care if that is what Venus is doing. Not all pro's make a giant announcement and have a farewell tour or tournament. Maybe Venus doesn't want that, maybe she doesn't feel like she owes anyone anything. Graf literally just stopped playing in 1999, her last official match was her pulling out of a tournament. Seles just basically stopped playing. Capriati just dropped off the tennis planet at the end of 2004 season.

Each player has a right to decide how to end their career and when and if they feel they need to make giant explanations about it. Venus has a pretty serious chronic medical condition, maybe she doesn't want people harassing her about it? I don't know why you seem to think she owes you or anyone some long explanation. I highly doubt your opinion bothers her anyway.
 
Connor35 said:
For the health insurance.

Seriously.

I've heard her say this (unironically) on multiple podcasts and interviews. She's mentioned how she still has health insurance through the WTA and "do you know how expensive MRIs are?" Which tennis players get alot.

Obviously Venus could afford her own -- but if you can play an event every 2 years and keep it, why not, I suppose.
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This ^^^^^
 
Sudacafan said:
Spencer Gore never announced his retirement, as far as I am concerned.
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still posts a few spencerberries on TTW from time to time... :unsure:
afa25ef35033f940f8656b18273df47f.gif
 
Fedeonic said:
Personal reflexion: I had already assumed that Roger was retired by the time he announced his official retirement.
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Roger realized there was no point in returning to the Tour and timed his retirement announcement with the Laver Cup in mind.

Venus has gone 5 seasons without winning more than 3 matches. Doesn't it occur to her that she'll never be in better form?! She probably lives in self-deception. Behind me is the convulsive end to the career of an ATG tennis player.
 
Nobody actually cares. But i feel Venus will make an appearance at Wimbledon, throw some serves in. Being a 5 times winner, gets an WC.
She also gets WC at USO.

Then may announce retirement.
 
nolefam_2024 said:
It's not wrong at all to wonder about this. She is what 44 today? We know she will not play again so just declare it.
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I've believed she should retire, but when and how is her business alone, not that of cackling, so-called "tennis fans" or anyone else. She does not owe you anything.

bigbadboaz said:
To make demands, or have this entitlement or idea of a "right to know as fans".. ridiculous.
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Well put.

boredone3456 said:
Graf literally just stopped playing in 1999, her last official match was her pulling out of a tournament. Seles just basically stopped playing. Capriati just dropped off the tennis planet at the end of 2004 season.
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...and in each case, no one was jumping on the player to make some formal announcement. Graf ust walked away, Seles took years to announce (and that was a-ok), and as you note, Capriati simply vanished, and yet there were no mobs demanding a formal retirement announcement as in the case with Venus. Hmm........

I don't know why you seem to think she owes you or anyone some long explanation. I highly doubt your opinion bothers her anyway.
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Exactly.
 
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