Having grown up obsessively watching Serena Williams play tennis, it is difficult to think about the injustices that she, a role model for so many, has undergone because she is a black woman. When Serena was excited about winning a point, people thought she was classless and distasteful. But when Caroline Wozniacki stuffed tennis balls and towels in her outfit, people laughed. There is no way to interpret this scene but as pure racism and disrespect. It should not be seen as obnoxious for Serena to have emotions when she loses a point when Novak Djokovic in 2010 could break his racket because he was losing his match. The tennis world and its viewers have handed Serena Williams a different set of rules and a stricter code of conduct simply because she is African American.
In William's Nike ad from this March titled "Until We All Win" (linked here), she says, "I've never been the right kind of woman... too black for my tennis whites... But I'm proving time and time again there's no wrong way to be a woman." This ad came in the midst of the #TimesUp movement and as she was reentering tournaments. Williams is clearly aware of the impact she has and the responsibility that comes with it. The criticism she has faced has dealt with her as a woman, her as black, and her as confident.
While Serena Williams is now the top paid female tennis player, it took years and twenty three Grand Slam titles for her to raise her status. She is still paid significantly less than the top men players. Roger Federer, the highest paid male player, earns over $30 million more than Serena.
In William's Nike ad from this March titled "Until We All Win" (linked here), she says, "I've never been the right kind of woman... too black for my tennis whites... But I'm proving time and time again there's no wrong way to be a woman." This ad came in the midst of the #TimesUp movement and as she was reentering tournaments. Williams is clearly aware of the impact she has and the responsibility that comes with it. The criticism she has faced has dealt with her as a woman, her as black, and her as confident.
While Serena Williams is now the top paid female tennis player, it took years and twenty three Grand Slam titles for her to raise her status. She is still paid significantly less than the top men players. Roger Federer, the highest paid male player, earns over $30 million more than Serena.