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Saying “the countdown has begun,” 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williamsannounced Tuesday she is ready to step away from tennis so she can turn her focus to having another child and her business interests, presaging the end of a career that transcended sports, Associated Press reported.

In an essay released Tuesday by Voguemagazine, and a post on Instagram — the sorts of direct-to-fans communication favored these days by celebrities, a category she most definitely fits — Williams was not completely clear on the timeline for her last match, but she made it sound as if that could be at the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 29 in New York.

“There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun,” Williams, who turns 41 next month, wrote on Instagram. “I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just (as) exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”

Williams, one of the greatest and most accomplished athletes in the history of her — or any other — sport, wrote in the essay that she does not like the word “retirement” and prefers to think of this stage of her life as “evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.”

“I feel a great deal of pain. It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads,” she wrote. “I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not. I’m torn: I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.”

That she would be publicly contemplating the end of her playing days is not all that surprising, given her age — her 10 Grand Slam titles after turning 30 are unsurpassed — her history of injuries and her recent record: one victory in a singles match in the past 12 months (that win arrived Monday in Toronto; she is scheduled to play again on Wednesday), according to Associated Press.

“Serena Williams is a generational, if not multigenerational, talent who had a profound impact on the game of tennis, but an even greater influence on women in sports, business and society. At a time when our nation and the world have wrestled with essential issues of identity, Serena has stood as a singular exemplar of the best of humanity after breaking through countless barriers to her participation and ultimate success,” U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said. “She leaves an indelible legacy of grace and grit that will inspire athletes, female and male, for many generations to come. We can’t thank her enough for all she has done for our sport.”

Williams’ status as an athlete, and a groundbreaker, is obvious to everyone. 

Manoj Prabhakar has been appointed as the head coach of the Nepal national cricket team.

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Monday appointed Indian coach Prabhakar as the head coach of the Nepal national cricket team.

Former Indian cricketer Prabhakar has played 39 Tests and 130 One Day Internationals for India.

After being appointed as the head coach, Prabhakar said that he is excited to work with the Nepal national cricket team.

He had also worked as the coach of national team of Afghanistan and cricket association of Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Erling Haaland opened his Manchester City goal account and demonstrated the huge threat he will pose this season as the champions began the defence of their Premier League crown in impressive fashion at West Ham United, BBC reported.

The brilliant 22-year-old Norwegian striker delivered exactly what City manager Pep Guardiola wanted following his summer signing from Borussia Dortmund when he gave City the lead from the penalty spot nine minutes before half-time, after he was brought down by West Ham's substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

He was on as substitute for injured Lukasz Fabianski but was helpless when Haaland wrapped up City's win after 65 minutes with a composed left-foot finish from Kevin de Bruyne's perfect pass, according to BBC.

City won at a canter against a strangely passive West Ham, who barely threatened after a brief opening burst, spending long spells out of possession as the champions exerted almost complete command.

One of Brazil's greatest Jiu Jitsu champions of all time, Leandro Lo, has been shot in the head in a nightclub in São Paulo, BBC reported.

Lo, 33, was at a club in the Saude neighbourhood when he was allegedly shot by an off-duty police officer who is now on the run, police said.

Lo was taken to hospital where he was declared brain dead hours later.

He was one of the most successful Jiu Jitsu athletes of all time, having won the World Championships eight times.

According to a police report seen by local media, Lo - whose full name is Leandro Lo Pereira do Nascimento - was approached by an off-duty police officer while out with friends at the Clube Sirio - a sports and social club to the south of the capital.

Witnesses said the police officer started making threatening gestures with a glass bottle at the table. Lo then immobilised him and told him to go away.

The police officer then allegedly pulled a gun out and shot Lo in the forehead, police said.

Lo was rushed to hospital, where he was declared brain dead, according to his family lawyer. His family said his condition is irreversible, according to Reuters.

An attempted murder investigation has been opened and police are searching for the suspect, police said.

Lo won the World Championships eight times in three different weight classes, an all time record.