Serena Williams recently opened up about her struggles and society's preconceived prejudice over her physique as a professional tennis player.
Serena turned pro in 1995 and retired from tennis in September 2022, having won the second-most Grand Slams by a woman with 23. Her longevity is attributed to her dedication and discipline in her craft, but she's also been surprised that she played so well into her 30s.
The record books will always tell the story of Serena Williams' remarkable achievements spanning almost three decades, but the legendary American has taken a long and bumpy road to get there.
Williams has encountered significant roadblocks during her playing career because of her body. This is not only limited to injuries but also her physical appearance.
In the recently released docuseries On ESPN+, In the Arena: Serena Williams, the 42-year-old discusses the steps she took to overcome two of the most difficult years of her life in 2006 and 2007.
Williams surrendered her title defense at the 2006 Australian Open after battling a physical ailment and was crying during her third-round defeat to Daniela Hantuchova.
She told reporters after the match she was perturbed by a knee injury but has since revealed in her autobiography that she was struggling to shake off depression at the time and missed half of the season after departing Melbourne.
The former World No. 1 slipped outside the Top 100 because of the long break, and Williams reveals in the docuseries that the endless chatter, mostly about her physical outlook, began streaming down.
"The general consensus was that I was a big fat cow. They were used to seeing women that didn't have a figure, and I was a black woman with a figure, and that doesn't make you bad, or doesn't make you well. It just makes you a girl with a butt and a small waist."
Serena's response was fierce and successful upon her return to the 2007 Australian Open as an unseeded player and ranked 81st in the WTA rankings. She won the tournament by convincingly beating old rival Maria Sharapova in the final.
Although Serena Williams is regarded as one of the most resilient competitors with outstanding mental strength, she was insecure about her body during the early phase of her career.
The powerfully built retired WTA star often compared herself to sister Venus, as stated in an interview with GQ in 2018. However, upon receiving sound advice from her late half-sister Yetunde, she began embracing her body image.
"I was really struggling, and she's [Yetunde] like, 'You know, everyone is different. You're not Venus, and you're never going to be Venus. You're never going to be as thin as her, and that's okay. And you're never going to be as tall as her, and that's okay.'"
"It wasn't about her at all. Tennis players in general didn't look like me. Especially the top players or anyone that ever won Grand Slams. Nothing like me. So it was, "Can I win looking like this? Can I perform looking like this?"
By surrounding herself with people who care and provide emotional support, Williams has embraced self-acceptance and has grown confident about her own physique. Through her platform and her career, she has promoted body positivity even with the most bizarre fashion choices.
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