News Now: On New Year’s Day 2019, tennis legends Serena Williams and Roger Federer found themselves on opposite sides of the net, competing in a rare mixed doubles match. It was a special moment for fans, as these two icons, who had individually dominated women’s and men’s tennis, faced off against each other. Despite the intensity of the match, their competitive spirit gave way to lightheartedness in a post-match interview. They exchanged compliments and joyfully reflected on the experience of playing against one another. “For me, it was super cool,” Williams said with a laugh. “I literally wanted to take pictures and bring my baby out. I was way too excited.” Federer was equally thrilled, admitting it was a bit nerve-wracking. “Especially the last serve at 3-all, I’m like, ‘I have to win this point, but it’s Serena Williams!'” he said, eliciting laughter from the crowd. He went on to say, “This is maybe what I’ve always wanted, a big-time moment like this,” smiling as he spoke. Now, with both Williams, 40, and Federer, 41, announcing their retirements in quick succession, the tennis world faces the departure of two of its most iconic and beloved players, whose influence extended far beyond the sport itself.Serena Williams and Roger Federer transformed the sport of tennis, and their retirements will have a lasting impact as well.

Jon Wertheim, senior writer at Sports Illustrated and Tennis Channel analyst, told NPR that while it’s expected due to their ages, the retirement announcements of Serena Williams and Roger Federer still came as a shock.

“It’s like the Sears Tower and the Empire State Building,” he remarked, highlighting their towering presence in tennis. Despite their 23 and 20 Grand Slam titles, respectively, neither has won a major title in recent years.

For Serena Williams, her influence goes beyond her athletic prowess. She publicly navigated her journey as a Black woman in a sport historically dominated by white players. Both Serena and her sister Venus have faced criticism throughout their careers.

From Venus being penalized in 1999 over hair beads to Serena facing backlash for wearing a black catsuit at the 2018 French Open, they’ve endured scrutiny. The sisters have also been subject to racist remarks, including comments about Serena’s marriage and pregnancy with her husband Alexis Ohanian, who is white.

Akilah Carter-Francique, dean of Benedict College’s School of Education, Health, and Human Services, explained how the Williams sisters had to contend with a tennis world that wasn’t always welcoming.

“They faced racism, sexism, and classism in a media-heavy environment, but they handled it with grace,” she said. Carter-Francique added that their cultural significance extended beyond the sport, inspiring not just tennis players but also young girls, women, Black youth, and other communities of color. “They entered a space not made for them and reshaped it, influencing tennis and pop culture alike.”

Roger Federer, like the Williams sisters, started playing tennis at a young age. Known for his smooth playstyle and grace toward fellow players, fans, and the media, Federer’s career has been marked by decency and sportsmanship.

His rival Novak Djokovic praised Federer on Instagram, saying he “set the standard for excellence, integrity, and poise.”

As both Williams and Federer step away, tennis enters a new era. Wertheim suggested that their lasting legacy may be that they attracted so many new fans to the sport, ensuring its continued popularity even after their departure. “Maybe their legacy is that their absence won’t harm the sport because they brought so many new people into the fold.”

• Although the sport has progressed with new stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek and the continued presence of Rafael Nadal and Djokovic, Wertheim noted, “There’s still going to be a huge gap for casual fans when they think of tennis without Williams and Federer.”