Serena Williams, 42, says it was a 'difficult' decision leaving tennis which ... trends now

Serena Williams is embracing change and evolution in all areas of her life.

The tennis superstar, 42, appears on the cover of Byrdie magazine's spring issue, and in the accompanying article, she talks about retiring from the sport that has defined her life, made her a global superstar and made her a multi-millionaire.

'It's definitely not easy,' the mom of Olympia six, and Adira, eight months, with husband Alexis Ohanian, said.

'I love sports and being active. Leaving something I was still good at to be a mom was such a difficult decision,' she added.   

'But I wanted another kid, so I had to do that. Now it's about finding balance and doing other things I've always loved.'

Serena shared how much she loves fashion and makeup – something that comes as no surprise to anyone who has seen the tennis outfits and hairstyles she's worn on the tennis court over the years. 

'Showing up [like that] was great for me,' Williams said. 'Tennis is different than other sports. 

'Sprinters and gymnasts, for example, can wear a full face of makeup. With tennis, you can play for three hours and have sweat pouring down your face,' she explained.

'So I had to find little ways to enhance my features. It started with the beads—that was a way to express myself. From there, I leaned into eyeliner and lipstick.'

All of her on court experimentation with fashion and sweat proof makeup led to her founding her makeup line WYN Beauty.

The idea for the brand sprung from her time in the locker room after a tennis match where she frantically washed her face and quickly applied some makeup before appearing in front of reporters and photographers.

'Those moments are the foundation of the brand,' Williams shared. 

'After playing on center court in front of millions of people, I'd have to do press. There was a point where I was talking to

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