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The 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams is gearing up for her last Grand Slam competition at the upcoming US Open 2022 as she earlier announced retirement from professional tennis. Being the only player in tennis history to complete a Career Grand Slam in both singles and doubles, dealt with massive heartbreak on Friday as her pet dog, Lauerlei Linkogle Williams passed away.
Williams took to Instagram to announced the passing away of Lauerlei, who was with her since 2004. The legendary tennis player revealed that her dog 'loved chicken and acrobatics' while she mourned the demise of her 18-year-old Maltese.
"Lauerlei sadly breathed her last yesterday. I am sad but happy for all the time and all the extra I got to spend with her. She lived a long life. The last year and a half were a bonus. She got to get anything she ever wanted and she was biting toes till the end. Literally," Williams wrote in her emotional Instagram post.
The 40-year-old further revealed that Lauerlei was the toughest little pup and she will miss her a lot. "Truly the end of an Era. Lauerlei Linkogle Williams, May 2004 - Aug 27, 2022," she wrote.
Earlier, Serena and Venus Williams received a wildcard in the women's doubles at the upcoming US Open 2022. The Williams sisters are the two-time champions at the US Open and this pair was last seen at the 2018 Roland Garros. The duo has teamed up to win three Olympic gold medals in doubles, winning in 2000, 2009 and 2012.
The Williams sisters held all four major doubles titles at one time, having won 2009 Wimbledon, 2009 US Open, 2010 Australian Open and 2010 French Open. While announcing retirement, Serena claimed that, "There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. Such time is always hard when you love something so much. But the countdown has begun, I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different version of myself."
