Serena Williams says she will be 'evolving away' from tennis

Serena Williams said she is "evolving away" from the sport after the US Open.

Writing for Vogue, the American said she is moving towards "other things that are important to me", adding she does not like the word "retirement".

She wrote that the clock had begun.

"I'm gonna relish these next few weeks," the 40-year-old said.

After a long injury lay-off, Williams made her singles return at Wimbledon in June.

She won six of her major singles titles at the US Open.

Williams has won more major singles titles than any female player in the Open era and the second most behind Margaret Court.

I was not prepared to win Wimbledon this year. I'm not sure if I'll be ready to win New York. She wrote that she would try.

I know there's a fan fantasy that I might have tied Margaret that day in London, then beat her record in New York, and then at the trophy ceremony say "see ya!".

I'm aware of that. It is a nice fantasy. I don't want to see a final on-court moment.

I'm not good at goodbyes. I can't express my gratitude in words, but I am more thankful for you.

She had her first singles win in 14 months on Monday when she beat Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz in the first round of the National Bank Open.

There's more to come.