My figure was criticised, but I rose above – Serena Williams
Serena Williams has had an extraordinary tennis career, winning 23 Grand Slam titles over 27 years. In her docuseries “In The Arena: Serena Williams,” she reflects on the challenges she faced during 2006-07, a period marked by a significant knee injury that sidelined her for over six months and caused her ranking to plummet.
Williams recalled the harsh criticism she received about her body during this time, stating, “The general consensus was that I was a big fat cow.”
She highlighted how her figure as a Black woman was unfairly judged, saying, “They were used to seeing women that didn’t have a figure, and I was a Black woman with a figure.
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That doesn’t make you bad, or doesn’t make you well. It just makes you a girl with a butt and a small waist.”
Despite the negativity, Williams made a remarkable comeback by winning the 2007 Australian Open, defeating Maria Sharapova in the finals.
She also shared her emotional struggles following the tragic death of her sister Yetunde in 2003 and how it impacted her mental state during the 2007 season.
Williams’ docuseries, which premiered on July 10, 2024, provides a deep dive into her personal and professional journey, highlighting her resilience and determination.
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar and Maryam Sulaiman, Editor and Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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