Serena Williams lost the Singles Final at the Paris Open last weekend. After Serena’s stellar run in 2015 – where she won every major slam except for the US Open – the Paris Open was a bit of a disappointment. But Serena doesn’t wallow, and I think she’s got a good shot at winning Wimbledon for the second year in a row, which would break Steffi Graff’s singles Slam record. Serena covers the new issue of Glamour to talk about her plans for this year, how she’s not going to retire any time soon and more. Melissa Harris Perry did the interview and as I read the full piece (you can see it here), I could feel MHP geeking out on Serena. So the piece is fan-girly, but it’s really good. Some highlights:
Whether she thinks about breaking Graf’s record: “I do. But it’s not the end-all, be-all. It’s something I would like to achieve, but I’ve achieved so much on the court and off already.”
She’s going to the Rio Olympics: “I’m not taking Zika lightly. Especially being older, I definitely am going everywhere protected. I’m protecting myself.
Being called “the world’s greatest athlete.” “Oh my gosh, I don’t know. That’s so hard to say. I try to be the best that I can be every day. I have bad days. I had a bad day the other day. I hit for only, like, 30 minutes, and I stormed off the court. But that was the best I could do on that day. So am I the greatest? I don’t know. I’m the greatest that I can be.
Carrying the hopes & dreams of so many young black girls: “That’s something. I meet people who say, “Girl, I watch every match, and I pray for you.” I feel that energy and those prayers. Sometimes when I’m down on the court, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, “They want me to win. Is there anything else I can give?” It encourages me to do better, to fight harder.”
How she feels about losing: “No one takes a loss harder than I do. In any sport. I hate losing more than I like winning. I work harder. I study to see where I went wrong. But I carry the loss. My coach has said to me, “When you win a match or a tournament, you don’t even think about it—the very next minute you’re like, ‘Now I’ve got to focus on Wimbledon.’ You should take the losses the same way.” I need to look at those losses as learning experiences.
Whether she feels her age (she’s 35) on the court: “Who says that your thirties is when you’re supposed to be done? I would like to know who made that rule! I was talking to my mom one time, like, “Gosh, I’m 30.” And she’s like, “In your thirties you’re even stronger than in your twenties.” I didn’t believe her, but I have played better in my thirties. And I played pretty well in my twenties, don’t get me wrong! But my consistency is better, my momentum is better, my wins are quicker.
Equal pay in sports: “These sports have a lot of work to do. And I really hope that I can be helpful in that journey because I do believe that women deserve the same pay. We work just as hard as men do. I’ve been working, playing tennis, since I was three years old. And to be paid less just because of my sex—it doesn’t seem fair. Will I have to explain to my daughter that her brother is gonna make more money doing the exact same job because he’s a man? If they both played sports since they were three years old, they both worked just as hard, but because he’s a boy, they’re gonna give him more money? Like, how am I gonna explain that to her? In tennis we’ve had great pioneers that paved the way—including Venus, who fought so hard for Wimbledon to pay women the same prize money they pay men, and Billie Jean King, who is one of the main reasons Title IX exists.
Dealing with racist BS: “I try not to be protected. Because I feel like you can become a little bit of a robot. That’s not who I am. And I don’t want to be monotone. It’s important to be yourself, whatever the cost.
When I think of all of the stuff Serena Williams has to carry and how she carries it almost entirely with grace and lightness, it sort of astounds me that she is able to win, that she is the #GOAT, that she is still fighting and winning on the court at her age. But what I love about Serena is that she has benefited so much from the long view, from having a career that has spanned decades. All of that bulls—t that she’s faced – from racism and sexism and beyond – is nothing compared to her actual career, and the physical proof that she is one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Photos courtesy of Glamour.
I want muscle definition. Not like hers because that’s impossible but more than what I got. Lifting weights for 5-10 minutes each morning barely gives me any definition at all, although it helps in other ways.
Try changing what you eat as well. I’m on this nutrition plan that has really changed my strength and muscle definition. I mean, I’ll never be Serena, but I’m working at being stronger 🙂
Off to Google “muscle building diet”…
ETA, as I would’ve figured, it’s a lean protein diet. I’m proud to say that I do regularly eat the plant based items in this list (I really do eat spinach daily), but it was a good reminder that I should stop ignoring the protein powders sitting lonely in my pantry.
@Bettyrose Yes!! I’m on the Renaissance Periodization plan, but it’s the same idea. Lots of lean proteins and veggies, but not cutting out the carbs, instead using them to fuel your workouts. So carbs before and after the workout, and a carb drink (like gatorade or fruit punch or something) during the workout for greater performance. I swear, in 6 weeks i’ve seen major changes in body composition and strength! I feel so much better and stronger 🙂
God, I love her.
If you want muscles, youre gonna have to lift HEAVY.
5-10 minutes isn’t enough. Lift heavy, with great form, and a number of reps until you have to challenge yourself to get the last 2 and 3 sets of that for each exercise.
Thanks for the tips! I know that I’m not doing enough lifting for real definition, but until recently my only goal was weight loss/maintenance. Getting to an age where I need to be more serious about keeping in shape, though. Serena is younger than me but I love seeing a woman who looks strong. She’s an inspiration.
Same pay for same game=YES. But grand slams r not the same, men play best of 5 n r easily on court 3hrs+ where women play best of 3 n vary 1.5 hrs 2 2.5 hrs. So equal pay? no. The ladies can do 5 sets, have in the past n would still.
We forget the Selles, Navratilova n Graff. Stefi played best of 5 matches, got her 24 slams in 9yrs as opposed to Serena 13 yrs n going.The competition was no where the same. Serena,Graff,Selles n Billie King n many more will be known for being the greatest players ever. Race never played a role on WTA circuit except in US. Been to many tournaments n Serena is beloved n fun to watch. As the A-holes who have something 2 say about her body, who gives a eff, she’s beautiful n imp has a quick ass body
I don’t even like tennis but I am a huge fan of this woman. One person working so hard and doing so much, for herself of course, but for all of us. She’s the sh*t 🙂
She’s so right about pay differences between the sexes. It’s infuriating. And I find her pictures and interview refreshing. Especially after reading about doping Maria.
I love Serena. Her passion and dedication are such an inspiration.
I want her to be my life coach.
I wish women would start playing the same number of sets as men. I don’t like that best of three rule in women’s tennis. The Roland Garros final was fantastic and I really wanted it to last much longer.
I also think that would make demanding equal pay much easier.
Exactly! Currently women don’t work as hard as men in tennis. It’s not about equal pay it’s the same pay for the same work and at the moment women work considerably less than men.
Women should definitely start playing best of five too. It would be interesting to see if the need for increased stamina would affect the power balance somehow. Maybe some new names would emerge.
In most tournaments men play best of 3, it’s only for the Grand Slams they play best of 5, so mostly they are doing the same amount of work. I wish they would go up to best of 5 for the Grand Slams, makes it more interesting!
i don’t understand why she doesn’t get more endorsements. to me, she is a stunningly, beautiful woman. she looks so strong and powerful. i would buy anything she endorsed and used.
That’s easy. Because companies cater to the general public, and let’s face it, the general public many of these companies target is white, conservative, and deeply racist. I’m talking very broadly here.
I think we have done a lot in society to combat overt racism, but we need a lot of work on the deeper stuff. For every one of you and me (I would buy anything she endorses too), there are 3, 4 or 5 others who would buy Sharapova’s stuff instead. And that’s a huge problem because those people don’t say anything public. They just vote with their dollars, and companies listen.
I agree completely. Serena is amazing. Her body type, and this is straight-up racist sh!t, is simply not what the big money people believe is marketable to America. I can’t think of another female sports figure who is more potentially influential…other than Abby Wambach.
She was off her game and out of shape at the French. It was hers to lose, but the woman who won is a charmer too, so I wasn’t too disappointed.
That said, she has endured a lot. I’m looking forward to more of her wins and, some day, hopefully, her and Venus opening a tennis camp or institute where I might send my hypothetical daughter in the presumptive future.
–TheRealPinky
I agree with you. Serena is unbeatable if her service is dependable and as powerful as usual, but it wasn’t at the French. I don’t know about age, but I think she doesn’t practice as much as she used to. And practicing is required of everyone, even the greats. If you don’t use it, you lose it, right? I don’t know if her heart is as in tennis as it used to be. And I don’t know…I thought she was really interested in fashion design? She has a fashion line or something, didn’t she? I think she’ll go for that after she retires. I think she’s kind of sick of tennis, haha. But she’s an inspiration and a legend. I grew up watching her play. Some of my earliest memories are watching her and Venus dominate.
Serena is everything and if I ever met her I would tell her that. As a young black girl growing up all I had was her, Venus and Dominque Dawes to look up (athletically speaking). Every time she hits the court win or lose she is opening doors. Representation matters.
That and shes fierce as hell. Keep pushing
Now that is a role model Kardashian followers. Aim higher!
If this is how she truly feels, then women tennis players need to start playing the same number of sets as men. Someone else mentioned it earlier. It has to start there. So many of the sports that women participate in have completely different rules and it seems as if they’re being coddled or protected. The only sport that I am aware of (and I’m sure there are more) that allows women to play as men do is basketball. There will always be some difference – but, it has to start someplace.
I’m sure the top women would have no problem with best of five sets in slams. Outside of slams, it is the norm for men to play best of three as well.
“I’m sure the top women would have no problem with best of five sets in slams.”
This is completely false. If they demanded it (like they did equal pay), they’d get it. But they don’t demand it. They want no part of best-of-five.
Here you go @Saraya http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Stacey-Allaster-Says-WTA-is-Ready,-Willing-and-Ab.aspx and http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/serena-williams-grand-slam-us-open-best-of-five-sets/
Cop. Out.
They’re not demanding to play best-of-five, Amber. They’re saying they’ll play if asked, knowing full well they’ll NEVER be asked. Allaster is being completely disingenuous. They don’t ANY part of it. So much for true equality, I guess.
I replied to you below @Saraya.
I think that women’s sports are just different from men’s. It’s not about the quantitative- number of sets, etc. Women rely more on finesse than brute strength. For followers of women’s sports, this is a major attraction.
Unfortunately, women as strong athletes does not sell as well as nearly nude emaciated women in their underwear. A woman with muscles looks too much like a dude, to the marketing audience.
GOAT!!
Jfc Serena Williams is such a goddess!!
She has really great things to say here and, on a purely superficial note, her body is amazing!!!
Not a sports fan, but I sure like the Williams sisters.
Now this is what I call a “hero”. Ms. Williams is a true role model for all women, young and old.
“Like, how am I gonna explain that to her?”
Tell her that male athletes generate more revenue, hence they deserve more pay. I’m sure Maya Moore works very hard, but does anybody really think she should get paid the same salary as LeBron James? Of course not, since the WNBA struggles to even be profitable.
In 2014, the ATP tour brought in $107.1 million in revenue, compared to the WTA’s $69.7 million. That’s a HUGE gap. As long as a gap like that exists, it’s unfair for WTA players to be paid what the men are.
We’ve been over this just a few months ago. It’s not that simple.
http://www.celebitchy.com/476900/novak_djokovic_doesnt_believe_women_in_tennis_deserve_equal_prize_money/#comment-14976406
And we aren’t talking about the WNBA. We’re talking about tennis. The greatest avenue for women in sports. Where the women have their own icons and have contributed to the overall popularity of the sport. That “HUGE” gap was only $2.6 million in 2008. It’s always fluctuating. Let’s see what happens when Roger, Rafa, Novak and Murray are gone.
The fluctuations are only in the size of the gap. The men’s tour always brings in more revenue, hence they should be paid more for their labor.
As for waiting to see what happens when Roger, Rafa, Novak and Murray are gone, you could just as easily wonder what will happen when Serena, Venus, and Sharapova retire. I guarantee the men’s tour will have an easier time replacing their stars, not least of which because the more promising American prospects are on the men’s side (Tiafoe, Fritz, etc.)
$2.6M is negligible when you’re talking about hundreds. That’s a closed gap to me. You seem to have just made up your mind about this if you want to outright dismiss the fact that the women do indeed close that gap e’ry now and then. My point was that there was a time not too long ago when the women were bringing in just as much as the men. You also can’t categorize Serena’s popularity as if the popularity that the men enjoy is so different or more important. That’s just proving my point. The Big 4 are propping up the men’s game just as certain stars like Sharapova and Serena prop up the women. It’s no different. When stars go, tours suffer and come back down to earth. The same goes for each gender. But I think you’re being excessive to bring up the WNBA and pretend that the $30M gap is the rule, as if the women are ALWAYS scrubs and a distant second to the men. So, I also see that you (didn’t read or) ignored other points I made in my original CB post from March. Like about systematic sexism and why we have this attitude about the women “coattailing” the men like they’ve never contributed anything to this sport’s history. There are many reasons the men’s game has it easier making growth and prosperity easier to come by…
I’m going to disagree with her slightly on the equal pay/equal play argument. In tennis, women don’t work as hard as men – and that’s no fault of their own. In tennis, women only play 2 out of 3 sets while men play 3 out of 5. There inlies the problem – the assumption that women players are too fragile to play 3 out of 5. I bet all the women would like the opportunity to have equal play for equal pay. I don’ t know why it hasn’t happened yet.
And just ‘cuz the men are obligated to play best of 5 doesn’t mean they do. A 3 or 2-setter women’s match can be longer than a straight-set men’s match. The classic Wimbledon final betweeen Venus and Davenport was 45 minutes longer and far more entertaining than the men’s match that year. It also got higher ratings. I doubt John Isner serving bombs and going to the net occasionally is disproportionately working his butt off compared to Aga Radwanska running down everything. The WTA Chief has said a few times that the women could play 5 sets but they “need to be asked”. (People forget it’s in the Grand Slams’ hands.) Again, they have the stamina to play 3-setters like the men for the rest of the year.
“A 3 or 2-setter women’s match can be longer than a straight-set men’s match.”
Can be, but almost always isn’t.
“The classic Wimbledon final between Venus and Davenport was 45 minutes longer and far more entertaining than the men’s match that year. It also got higher ratings.”
One match does not a trend make. Sorry.
“I doubt John Isner serving bombs and going to the net occasionally is disproportionately working his butt off compared to Aga Radwanska running down everything.”
And I doubt Petra Kvitova serving bombs is disproportionately working her butt off compared to Rafael Nadal running down everything.
“The WTA Chief has said a few times that the women could play 5 sets but they “need to be asked”. (People forget it’s in the Grand Slams’ hands.)”
That’s a cop-out. The women’s tour received equal pay because they demanded it and threatened a boycott if they didn’t get it. They could get best-of-five set matches if they wanted them, but they don’t. They’re hiding behind the Grand Slam tournaments decisions.
So basically we’re not arguing about anything @Saraya. You have little more to add than “sometimes things are and sometimes they aren’t”, which was my point to start with. It’s just not an automatic that the men play longer and harder. I also think you should be angrier at the Grand Slam directors and the ITF for their decisions instead of placing all the blame on the WTA over a complicated issue. (It also discounts that there are many who feel that the men shouldn’t play 5 sets. So they aren’t pushing for the women to do it either.) I have no doubts that the women could play best of five. None whatsoever. But the arguments for shorter men’s matches (ain’t gonna’ happen) is easier said and done than trying to figure out how they’d have the women play best of five and fit that (time and space) into 2 weeks or expand the tournaments when there already isn’t an off-season in tennis. (Or have many more overlapping matches. Which I’m sure tv execs and spectators would not be thrilled about.) You can also, and only, assume all you like that when Allaster, Serena, Venus, Kerber, and these women (Google “washington post 1991 top women players argue for equal pay”, It’s flagging the link) say they’d play 5 sets that they are being disingenuous, knowing it won’t happen. But that’s pure conjecture. Btw, that article also contains some more examples of times when women have been even, if not outpacing the men in popularity. (IDK where they got the idea that Jim Courier, who finished 1990 at No. 25, and had just won Indian Wells and Miami, was mucho lower-ranked and unknown.) So if you don’t pay a movie ticket based off the quality and length of the film; Nor is it an automatic that the men play better, longer or harder; And women like Serena and Seles have shown time and time again that they can bring in an audience comparable to their male counterparts–What is the argument for unequal pay again?
Women DO get paid the same. All these morons are confusing earnings with wages.
I’m honking for Serena!
If I had two employees each putting in the same amount of effort but one making much more money for me then yes I would pay them differing amounts. It’s business logic, not sexism.