After a thrilling last match in Arthur Ashe stadium, with tears in her eyes and diamonds in her hair, Serena Williams waved goodbye to the cheering crowd and her beloved tennis -a game which she has changed for a long time to come. When it came out that she would be evolving away from professional tennis, it was a bittersweet feeling that prompted me to reflect on the impact sheÔÇÖs had as a black female athlete on and off the court. In the spirit of black history month, her legacy should be celebrated.
When she won her first grand slam, she became hyper visible. A young black girl with impeccable muscles and beaded cornrows holding up the coveted US Open trophy for the whole world to see. She stood on the shoulders of her sister Venus to reach new heights but a young black girl on top was something the tennis world still wasnÔÇÖt used to. In an all-white panic, they resorted to racist and sexist tropes that sought to dehumanise and masculinise her. As she exceled, her body became a site of ridicule and exploitation by the media and her peers alike. What were all desperate attempts to spur her downfall, willed her upwards and onwards to achieve tennis greatness. ItÔÇÖs the very body that dominated the game for over two decades and won a grand slam whilst pregnant. In the words of another great black woman- ÔÇÿwhen they go low, we go highÔÇÖ– and Serena did just that, all the way to twenty-three.
If youÔÇÖve followed her career, then you might have heard of the Serena-Sharapova ÔÇÿrivalryÔÇÖ. What is lesser known is the fact that Serena won twenty out of the twenty-two meetings they had, making it less of a rivalry and more of a butchering. The Olympic Games final in 2012 will go down in history as her easiest landslide victory along with her celebratory crip walk as a cultural reset. She had many opponents who pushed her to the limit but her sister Venus (Williams v Williams) was arguably her biggest rival. It was the 2008 Wimbledon final, when the sisters came to a head, that I realised how emotionally taxing a single match could be; my mum was shouting at the screen and I was silently transfixed, heart in mouth, by the long rallies, near misses and insatiable grunts. Serena won that day but took it upon herself at every given moment to remind us that without Venus, there would be no Serena Williams.
“Even though her professional tennis career may have ended, itÔÇÖs clear that Serena is only getting started.”
Whether you enjoy the sport or not, the outfits are always a source of excitement and awe which adds to the whole spectacle of a tennis match. SerenaÔÇÖs magnificent play is enough to keep anyone hooked but her fashion game will draw in even the most unimpassioned onlooker. Denim skirts, gladiator boots, trench coats and catsuits; you name it, sheÔÇÖs done it. One of my favourites and coincidentally hers too, was the lilac and brown tutu dress she wore at the 2018 US Open. It was a collaboration between the late Virgil AblohÔÇÖs Off White and Nike that had her looking and moving like a ballet dancer. An honorary mention must go to the sleek, black, full-body catsuit she wore for the French Open the same year which caused a madness in the press and was banned by the tournamentÔÇÖs president. Little did they know that it was specifically designed to keep her blood clots at bay and improve her circulation. However, thereÔÇÖs no stopping Serena because she did it again with a bright green romper in 2019.
SerenaÔÇÖs dynamism extends way beyond the court into the corporate world where she spearheads ‘Serena Ventures‘. ItÔÇÖs a business company with women at the helm that invests into start-ups with women and people of colour at the centre. She recognised the gaping statistic that less than 2 percent of all venture capital money went to women and even less to POCÔÇÖs so endeavoured to change that. ÔÇÿThe Mom ProjectÔÇÖ is a spotlight example which champions the value of mums as valid contributors to the workplace without compromising their parenthood. ItÔÇÖs not a far cry from SerenaÔÇÖs own experiences of having to choose between family and tennis which makes her a perfect advocate and investor to affect the everyday lives of fully capable mothers.
Even though her professional tennis career may have ended, itÔÇÖs clear that Serena is only getting started. With more time on her hands, sheÔÇÖs tending more towards her businesses (plural because she has many) and planning on extending her family. It must be a relief knowing she doesnÔÇÖt have to choose anymore and can continue building what she already has. Tennis wasnÔÇÖt ready for the true grit of Serena Williams but itÔÇÖs definitely better for it. SheÔÇÖs opened doors for more young black girls to excel in the sport comfortably and in any other sector they so desire and will continue to inspire generations to come.
