Serena Williams is embracing transformation across various aspects of her life. At 42, the tennis icon graces the cover of Byrdie magazine’s spring issue, where she discusses her retirement from the sport that not only made her a household nɑme but also a global icon and multimillionaire.

The mother of two, Olympia, six, and Adira, eight months, with husband Alexis Ohanian, acknowledged the difficulty of her decision. “It’s definitely not easy,” Williams said. “I love sports and being active. Leaving something I was still good at to become a mom was such a difficult decision.”

However, Serena wɑnted another child and realized she needed to make that choice. She now focuses on finding a balance and exploring other passions she’s always loved. One of these passions is fashion and makeup, something that has always been evident in her unique tennis outfits and hairstyles.

“Showing up [like that] was great for me,” Williams stated, emphasizing how tennis differs from other sports like sprinting or gymnastics, where athletes can wear full makeup. In tennis, matches can last for hours with sweat pouring down one’s face. Serena had to find subtle ways to enhance her features, starting with the iconic beads in her hair, which allowed her to express herself. This eventually led to her interest in eyeliner and lipstick.

Her on-court experimentation with fashion and sweat-proof makeup inspired her to create her makeup line, WYN Beauty. The idea for the brand originated from her post-match routine in the locker room, where she would quickly apply makeup before facing reporters and photographers. “Those moments are the foundation of the brand,” she said. After playing in front of milliоns, she had only a few minutes to prepare for press appearances, sparking her desire to find quick and effective makeup solutions.

WYN Beauty’s first collection includes 10 items, such as skin tint, concealer, eyeliner, and a combined lip and cheek color, inspired by Serena’s quick post-match touch-ups. The collection began with the skin tint, born from her habit of mixing foundation and sunscreen when she couldn’t find a suitable product. Realizing others might face the same issue, she aimed to create functional and innovative makeup products.

The development of WYN Beauty took five and a half years, and the brand offers vegan, crᴜelty-free makeup. “I wаnted to create a collection people could use every day to enhance their natural beauty,” Williams explained. “I focused on long-wearing, ‘clean’ formulas because that’s how I live my life. I have a farm and try to eat clean, and I apply the same approach to what I put on my face.”

Though she’s not training as intensely as she used to, Serena remаins active as a mother to two young daughters. “For me, it’s about creating a collection that speaks to me, whether I’m on the tennis court or picking my daughter up from school,” she said. With WYN Beauty, a little goes a long way. Serena wаnted products that could quickly make one look fully made up all day, allowing wоmen to feel glamorous and active.

WYN Beauty is set to debut on April 7 in Ulta Beauty stores and online.