The prowess of Serena Williams on the tennis court is second to none. She has dominated the game for almost two decades, with numerous title triumphs from Melbourne Park to Flushing Meadows.
However, she has always been a target of criticism and racism over the years for her physical abilities. She has been disrespected on the tennis court on a number of occasions by being called a man. Thus, in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2018, she decided to talk about it.
“Defeated and Disrespected.” Serena Williams Discusses Her Controversial 2018 U.S. Open Exit: “It’s shameful that our society penalizes women just for being themselves” https://t.co/mG1b25aoFO pic.twitter.com/9II9nofPYI
— Patrick (@cahulaan) July 9, 2019
She stated that it’s hard for her to cope with all the hate and added that people call her a guy because of her arms, which are muscular and strong. She also talked about her sister and called her thin, tall, and beautiful, saying she is different from her.
“It was hard for me. People would say I was born a guy, all because of my arms, or because I’m strong. I was different to Venus: she was thin and tall and beautiful, and I am strong and muscular – and beautiful, but, you know, it was just totally different,” Serena said.
Serena Williams’ family has been the victim of racism in the tennis world
Along with Serena Williams, her sister, as well as her father, have also been victims of racism and disrespect. At Indian Wells 2001, Venus Williams withdrew from the semifinal of the first half of the Sunshine Double due to a knee injury.
Coincidentally, she was going to face her sister in the semifinal, and following her withdrawal, spectators started accusing Williams of match-fixing. During the final, when Serena Williams was up against Kim Clijsters, the crowd started booing Richard and Venus as they sat in the stands to support Selena.
A number of individuals from the crowd directed racial slurs at Richard Williams, accusing him of manipulating his daughters. Furthermore, the tournament director also refused to offer an apology to Williams. Thus, the William Sisters boycotted the Indian Wells for 14 years.
How many Grand Slam titles has Serena Williams won?
The professional career of Serena Williams is nothing less than stellar. She is a 39-time Grand Slam winner. From women’s singles to mixed doubles, she has tasted success in all the possible divisions. With seven title triumphs at Melbourne Park, she holds the record for most Australian Open singles titles by a woman in the Open Era.
Also, she’s the joint record holder with Chris Evert for the most US Open singles titles in the Open Era (6). In addition to that, she has dominated the Wimbledon Championships with seven singles titles at the grass-court Major. Moreover, she has also triumphed at the French Open on three occasions (2002, 2013, 2015).
Okay and Serena Williams was 17 when she won her first Grand Slam https://t.co/fxdGV4ELFX pic.twitter.com/S3ycuhHaDp
— The GIST USA (@thegistusa) May 7, 2023
In women’s doubles, she has succeeded six times at Wimbledon, four times at the Australian Open, and twice at Roland Garros and the US Open. Furthermore, she was crowned the mixed doubles champion at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows in 1998, teaming up with Max Mirnyi.
Serena Williams has also won 23 WTA 1000 titles and an Olympic singles gold at the 2012 London Games. Her achievements didn’t end here, as she also has three double Olympic gold medals (2000, 2008, and 2012).
