Tennis prodigy Serena Williams says the conversation surrounding black women in sport has “changed.”
Featured in the latest cover story for the Net-A-Porter digital title Porter, 44, who won 23 Grand Slam titles over a 27-year professional career, opened up to the magazine about the resilience she has built as a Black woman in the sport.
Williams said: “Growing up black in tennis comes with its share of negativity. No noise is heard. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.”
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Breaking into a predominantly white game wasn’t an easy task for the tennis star, who faced criticism and racial prejudice over the course of her career.
Now, many are acknowledging the player for her influence and role in changing the game, and she said the conversation surrounding Black women in sports has “changed.”
She said: “No one calls these girls like I did. People would say we are like men.
“But I’m so glad that girls these days don’t have to go through that as much.”
Statistically the greatest tennis player of her generation, Williams played 1,011 matches on the WTA Tour and faced opponents born every year from 1966 to 2003 during her long career.
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The tennis star retired in 2022 and said despite being prepared for the transition, it was “a bit difficult”.
“No matter how much you prepare for retirement, it’s hard to do something every day, especially at such a high level,” she said. I prepared as best I could, but it’s still a bit difficult.
“I want to bring a little more clarity and confidence that I made the right decision and that I don’t always have to live for my children. I’m finding myself again.”
The mother of two said she had “always” wanted to be a mother and was dedicated to putting her family first.
“I want to be with my family,” she said.
“I cook every night when I’m home. I’m home 29 days a month. Sometimes I fly to New York, do what I have to do, and get home in time for dinner.”
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