- Serena Williams said she and her sister Venus Williams don't "talk much tennis together."
- Serena said she asked Venus questions about next year, alluding to her transition toward retirement.
Serena Williams said she and her sister, Venus Williams, rarely "talk much tennis" together.
Though the pair grew up playing together and have gone on to become two of the most accomplished players in the history of the sport, the Williams sisters have plenty of other things to discuss in their day-to-day lives.
But before Serena announced her intention to transition away from professional tennis earlier this month — saying in a Vogue column that she wants to take time to focus on her family — she consulted her older sister and asked "some questions about next year."
"The full journey is going to be emotional," Serena Williams told the "Today" show. "I love what I do. It's nothing about me not loving my job. I've been playing it my whole entire life, so it's very emotional to evolve into something new."
Venus told the "Today" show that she shared some advice with her sister — with whom she's won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles — as she embarks on retirement.
"It's still business. She still wants to play. She still wants to win," Venus said, referring to Serena's upcoming appearance at the US Open next month, which could be the last tournament of her career.
"When she walks on the court, she wants to be focused, so this is the moment now for her to do this like all the other moments. And when that moment is over, the next one will be here," Venus added.
Serena begins her pursuit of title 24 Monday in New York City, where she'll face Montenegro's Danka Kovinić in the opening round of the US Open.