Can the Williams sisters beat the clock before inevitable retirement?

Venus and Serena Williams will be 41 and 40 years old, respectively, at the end of 2021, both having spent over two decades atop the tennis world.

While it’s nearly impossible to imagine the WTA Tour without them, their career clocks are undeniably winding down. One day soon, Venus will decide she is ready for her next chapter, and Serena will either win a record-tying 24th major or decide her legendary career cake doesn’t need any more icing.

Venus and Serena have faced each other 31 times in their careers. (Getty)

“I love playing tennis obviously,” Serena said after pulling out of Roland Garros with an Achilles injury. “I love competing. I love being out here. It’s my job. It’s been my job. And I’m pretty good at it still, so until I feel that I’m not good at it, then I’ll be, like, OK.”

A good rule of thumb? Savor every second they delay their well-earned retirements for more time playing the sport they changed for the better.