Take a break from RushTok (hard, we know) and scroll through the latest sports news with us. No rush bag required.

I showed up 23 times, and that’s fine. Actually, it’s extraordinary. But these days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter.

The GIST: As mentioned, after a 27-year pro career, tennis legend Serena Williams announced her plans to retire after the US Open later this month. The GOAT’s on-court days may be winding down, but her incredible off-court impact is just beginning.

On-court career: Serena’s decades of dominance overwhelm her trophy room and include 23 Grand Slam titles (one shy of tying the all-time record), 73 singles tournament wins and an astounding 319 weeks as the WTA No. 1.

• She’s also nabbed four Olympic medals and is the only player to have completed a career Golden Slam (winning all four Grand Slams plus Olympic gold) in both singles and doubles. And the list goes on and on.

The impact: Words fail to do Serena’s legacy justice. She blazed business trails for women investors and BIPOC founders. She changed tennis fashion. She endured racism and sexism and faced those sad realities with an eye toward change.

• She opened up about the health complications she experienced giving birth to her now four-year-old daughter, Olympia, and later inspired the WTA to change their rankings system for mothers who take a leave of absence from the tour.

• Serena wrote in yesterday’s announcement that she hopes “women athletes feel that they can be themselves on the court” because of her. Mission accomplished.

What’s next: In the immediate future, today’s Canadian Open Round of 32 matchup vs. Belinda Bencic. Then it’s off to the Western & Southern Open next week before her final appearance at the US Open, which begins on August 29th. Clear your cal.

• As for off the court, her next steps will be more focused on family. We’ll let her have the final word: “I have never liked the word retirement…maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution.”

The GIST: After requesting a trade in June, Kevin Durant celebrated the anniversary of his contract extension with the Brooklyn Nets on Monday by giving owner Joe Tsai an ultimatum: trade him or fire general manager Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash. The audacity.

The why: Since Durant joined the squad three years ago, no banners have been raised and the Nets “super team” suffered two disappointing playoff exits following Durant’s return from a ruptured Achilles in 2020.

The demands: The ultimatum is just another in a long list of orders from the 12-time All-Star who was instrumental in strong-arming big names like James Harden to come to the Big Apple and who asked former teams Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors to retire his jersey. Yes, seriously.

• As for his requested trade, the two-time NBA champion (and two-time Finals MVP) apparently has a list of teams he wants to play for in the 2022–23 season.

What’s next: With training camp looming, will Durant forfeit a slice of his $44 million salary to follow in the footsteps of teammate Ben Simmons and sit out until he gets what he wants?

• One thing’s for sure. Nets (and New York Liberty) owner Joe Tsai made it very clear that his team’s front office and coaching staff have his support. Turn on those Twitter notifications for KD’s response.

🏀 WNBA: The Dallas Wings nabbed the sixth WNBA playoff spot with their 86–77 win over the NY Liberty on Monday. Flying high. With the regular season ending Sunday and only two postseason spots remaining, the Minnesota Lynx will aim to claw their way in, starting with a win over the Diana Taurasi–less Phoenix Mercury, tonight at 10 p.m. ET. Down to the wire.

🎾 Tennis: Joining Serena Williams in the National Bank Open Round of 32 are No. 10 Coco Gauff and No. 7 Jessica Pegula, who aim to ace their matches against Elena Rybakina and fellow American Asia Muhammad, respectively, today. Sweet as maple.

⚽ MLS: Team MLS reigned victorious over Team Liga MX (Mexico’s top men’s league) in last night’s All-Star Skills Challenge. Hey now. It all came down to a tie-breaking crossbar challenge showdown, won with the precision of Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar. Fun for the entire family.

• Just can’t get enough? Tune in to tonight’s 8:30 p.m. ET All-Star Game, where the 26-man MLS roster will kick off against Liga MX’s greatest talents. Vámanos!

🏈 NFL: Fill the football-sized hole in your heart as NFL preseason action continues with the NY Giants taking on the New England Patriots tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET, before the Baltimore Ravens face off against the Tennessee Titans at 7:30 p.m. ET. Enjoy those Friday Thursday night lights.

The latest WTF-filled episode of The GIST of It podcast. Get fired up with co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz as they outline the latest upsetting storylines in sport. Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

HBO’s Hard Knocks featuring the Detroit Lions, which premiered last night and will air each Tuesday until September 6th. Dive into the team’s doozy of a season that’s sure to make you feel better about your own team.