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Earlier this month, Serena Williams announced she would be stepping away from tennis. In an exclusive Vogue September Issue feature, Williams shared that she's not labelling it as 'retirement' but more of a transition, more of an 'evolution'.

Williams said, 'I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn't feel like a modern word to me. I've been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I'm up to is evolution. I'm here to tell you that I'm evolving away from tennis; toward other things that are important to me. A few years ago, I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family.'

She'll be closing out the year by competing in the upcoming US Open and to commemorate the grand slam, Williams is wearing an ensemble that is graceful yet fierce and, of course, with Nike. The outfit was inspired by figure skating competition apparel and created using a hands-on approach, incorporating a six-layer skirt – a nod to Serena's six titles at Flushing Meadows. The bodice has been encrusted with crystals and is inspired by the starry skies synonymous with tournament nights.

Serena Williams PE NikeCourt Flare 2
NikeCourt Flare 2

The outfit has been paired with the NikeCourt Flare 2, a custom Serena PE that features a diamond-encrusted Swoosh design, along with her initials on the medial side. The lace dubraes are crafted from solid gold and have been embellished with 400 hand-set diamonds in black ceramic in collaboration with Williams' jewellery brand.

For a collection of in-depth interviews and features, head over to <Platform> – an inclusive space created by Sneaker Freaker, which aims to champion the women who are breaking barriers and are helping to shape the sneaker and streetwear industry.

To check out the latest releases from the Swoosh, hit the link below to browse Nike’s webstore!

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