Serena Williams has always been an icon on and off the court. The American legend has conquered 23 slam titles against the odds not coming from a wealthy family and being coached by her father that had no experience in playing tennis.
Serena has inspired many people and definitely the young tennis generation. Naomi Osaka has always stated that she is where she is thanks to the former world no.1.
Unfortunately, Serena had to endure many times episodes of racism. Probably one of the most traumatic was when she was heavily booed in Indian Wells in 2001. After that, Serena decided not to play in Indian Wells for more than a decade as the scar was too thick.
Serena Williams and the recent unrests
This year the world had the opportunity to see some horrible racists acts in the US that culminated with the horrible death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in Minneapolis. That sparked a vast protest all over the US.
When interviewed by British Vogue, Serena praised the technology that has finally given the tools to expose racism.
“We see things that have been hidden for years; the things that we as people have to go through. This has been happening for years. People just couldn’t pull out their phones and video it before,” she commented.
Then Serena added that many people finally understood what means being black
“At the end of May, I had so many people who were white writing to me saying, ‘I’m sorry for everything you’ve had to go through.’ I think for a minute they started – not to understand because I don’t think you can understand, but they started to see. “
Serena Williams in 2020
Ranked world no.10, Serena Williams was supposed to play on the 30th of September. However, she conceded a walk over to Tsvetana Pironkova in the 2nd round of the French Open.
This year the American has a composed 17-5 win-loss record. Serena Williams conquered 1 title in Auckland.
