Serena Williams is a tennis legend, a cultural icon, and one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. But did you know that Serena has also made an appearance on one of the most popular animated television shows of all time? That’s right, in 2001 Serena Williams appeared on an episode of The Simpsons titled “Tennis the Menace.”
Serena’s appearance on The Simpsons was a testament to her immense popularity and cultural significance. At the time, she was already a two-time US Open champion and an Olympic gold medalist, but her success on the court was only part of what made her so beloved by fans.
Serena was also known for her outspokenness, her fashion sense, and her inspiring personal story. Her appearance on The Simpsons was a nod to all of these things, and it cemented her status as an icon of popular culture.
What happens at ‘Tennis the Menace’ which casts Serena Williams?
In this episode of The Simpsons, the family attends a talent show at the Springfield Retirement Castle where Grampa wins first place. His prize is a free autopsy, so the family visits a funeral salesman. Homer decides to purchase a casket and tombstone for Grampa but is offered an expensive funeral plan that he cannot afford.
The salesman tells Homer that the tombstone is made of the same amount of cement as a tennis court, giving Homer the idea to build one in his backyard.
usta: Pop culture 🤝 Tennis
On this day in 2001, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras were featured on the Simpsons. pic.twitter.com/hThl5gHkOt
— Kinero Tan (@KineroTan) February 11, 2022
The tennis court becomes popular with the town residents, but Homer and Marge consistently lose to their opponents. After being mocked, Marge enters a tennis tournament with Bart as her partner, leaving Homer to team up with Lisa.
The family’s competitive nature leads to chaos on the court, and ultimately, they are replaced by professional tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras. In the end, the family decides that watching is better than playing and enjoys dinner courtesy of Sampras’ wallet.
Serena’s appearance on The Simpsons is a testament to her cultural impact. She has since gone on to achieve even greater success on the tennis court, and her influence on popular culture has only grown. But her appearance on the show will always be remembered as a fun and lighthearted moment that showcased her personality and humor.
Whether you’re a fan of tennis or The Simpsons, “Tennis the Menace” is a must-watch episode that will have you cheering for both Bart and Serena.