Serena Williams gets candid about retirement decision on Meghan Markle's new podcast

Los Angeles, California - Megan Markle debuted her new podcast with her first special guest, Serena Williams, who got candid about the process behind her bombshell retirement announcement.

Serena Williams (l.) opened up on her decision to retire on Meghan Markle's new podcast.
Serena Williams (l.) opened up on her decision to retire on Meghan Markle's new podcast.  © Collage: AARON DAVIDSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP & ANGELA WEISS / AFP

On Markle's new podcast, Archetype, the tennis icon said that she initially "wrestled" with the decision, at one point even getting some advice from the Duchess of Sussex herself, as well as her husband, Prince Harry.

"I was just sitting in the hotel at the desk, just typing and deleting and typing and thinking, and then crying and sitting at my computer and tears streaming down my face as I’m writing these words and going back on these memories," Williams shared.

She added her essay for Vogue was also already in the works, with the magazine's CEO Anna Wintour giving her full backing .

Olivia Rodrigo laughs off on-stage fall at GUTS World Tour with viral TikTok
Olivia Rodrigo Olivia Rodrigo laughs off on-stage fall at GUTS World Tour with viral TikTok

"And it was just like, God, it was, it was really hard. But I was like, if I’m going to do this, it has to be Vogue September issue, right? It doesn't get better than that," she told Markle.

Williams and Markle talk ambitious women

The longtime gal pals also reflected on the negativity women face when they are seen as too "ambitious."

"Often women are definitely put in these different boxes when we are ambitious or when we do have goals or when we reach our goals, it's a negative connotation on how we reach the goals," Williams commented.

Markle also noted the online attacks she endured when she began dating the Duke of Sussex.

Archetypes is the first series to debut from the royal couple's multi-year partnership with Spotify and their production company Archewell Audio.

Next week, Markle's guest on Archetypes will be legendary singer Mariah Carey.

Cover photo: Collage: AARON DAVIDSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP & ANGELA WEISS / AFP

More on Serena Williams: