Serena Williams said she is “staying vague” over her expected retirement from tennis after reaching the US Open second round on Monday. 

“I have been pretty vague about it, right? I’m going to stay vague because you never know,” said the 40-year-old after beating Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam title winner, said earlier this month that she was “evolving away” from tennis and that “the countdown” was on for her retirement after 27 years as a professional. Before Monday, the former World No.1 had won just one match on tour all year and seen her ranking slip to 605. That kind of form prompted her to reveal that she was on the brink of retirement and hinting that this US Open would be her farewell. 

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