Federer, Serena retire; tennis moves on to Alcaraz, Swiate

Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, right, cheer on the competition during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, the kick off to the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Aug. 24, 2013, in New York. AP

The timing of it all hardly could be more symbolic: Within a span of two weeks, Serena Williams plays what is believed to be her last match at age 40, Roger Federer announces he'll be retiring at 41, Iga Swiatek wins her third Grand Slam title at 21, and Carlos Alcaraz gets his first at 19.

After so much handwringing in recent years about what would become of tennis once transcendent superstars such as Williams and Federer leave the game - he told the world Thursday he will exit after the Laver Cup next week; she made her plans public last month, then lost in the third round of the U.S. Open on Sept. 2 - the sport does seem to be in good hands as it prepares to move on.