Serena Williams and the Legacy she Leaves Behind
Serena Williams has said a bittersweet goodbye to tennis at the age of 40.
Williams has been at the forefront of not only tennis but an empowering figurehead for women’s sport for 26 years. She is a four-time Olympic gold medallist; 2017 Sportswoman of the Year and holder of 25 Guinness World Records.
These are only a small handful of the achievements held by Williams, all whilst dealing with the divide between men and women’s tennis and her lack of recognition from fellow players and reporters alike. Tennis is an extremely demanding sport, balancing these issues while trying your best to win is unimaginably tough – still, Williams stood tall and held her own among other icons, such as Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Williams pictured at the 2022 US Open Championships (Image: Getty)
The life story of Serena Williams is movie worthy, proven by the 2021 film, King Richard, which follows the life of Williams, her family and their love for tennis. Williams was born 26th September 1981 in Michigan, but would later grow up in Compton, California, where at three years old, she would start practicing tennis with her older sister, Venus Williams. The Williams’s father Richard, was determined for his two daughters to succeed, so he taught himself the sport and began teaching his children, which would result in the legends we know today, the William sisters.
Williams would then go on to be a professional tennis player at the age of 14, spanning a 26 year-long professional career, before announcing this year that she wants to evolve even further and focus on growing her family with husband, Alexis Ohanian and five-year-old daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
Williams shared with the world, how hard this change is for her and having to move away from the sport she loves. It is very difficult as she never wanted to choose between the two things she loves most, however, she doesn’t have the same privilege that men get. Williams explained this is not a happy decision, having to pick between the two loves of your life is an issue that men in the sport simply do not have to face. It seems unfair to her that this choice is necessary.
Williams celebrates with her daughter after winning the Auckland Classic Tennis tournament in January 2020 (Image: Getty)
Serena Williams has been seen as aggressive her whole career, while her male counterparts are deemed passionate. Fans have continually accused her of playing the race/gender card when she speaks up on her problems in the tennis community. And when she shows off her victories, she is immediately considered arrogant and egocentric.
Despite winning 23 Grand Slams, even winning one while pregnant, she has always been seen as lesser than the male players she is surrounded by.
She has spoken on this imbalance since the beginning of her career and by speaking on it, she hopes she can become a source of inspiration for little girls and women who just don’t feel good enough or respected for their achievements.
Serena Williams has shown that powerful women can rise in sport and be just as good, if not better than men, despite what anyone says about you or the sport you love so dearly. Even with Williams leaving tennis behind, her impact is undeniable.