What are the “odds” of two kids from Crompton acting as trailblazers for women’s sports? Perhaps impossibly low. Yet Serena and Venus Williams have defied all expectations, rising to dominate in tennis, with their father, Richard, standing as a rock behind them. Although it is a story of the past now, we are still wonder-struck by it. The former American tennis pro, John McEnroe, is also not immune to it!
In the July 29 episode of Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios podcast, the 65-year-old player, McEnroe and the 29-year-old Kyrgios discussed the inspiring stories of the women tennis players. Inevitably, the first names that occupied McEnroe’s mind were the Williams sisters. Emphasizing how women’s tennis offers a blueprint for various athletes to follow, he began by saying,
“You have the most unusual and greatest story in the history of our sport with the Williams sisters, two kids from the equivalent of Harlem, Compton, California. That father never played, looked at videos, and how to play tennis. You get to that, which would turn out to be Serena Williams and Venus Williams. What are the odds of that?”
Besides, female participation in sports was seen as something unusual too, with few clubs denying the entry of female players in the U.S.A. However, as the Williams sisters went on to achieve success, they also paved the way for other athletes to follow, opening various closed gates.
Despite never playing tennis himself, Richard took on the role of his daughters’ primary coach for most of their childhood. This decision came after struggling to find the perfect fit from external coaches. And it worked out for the best for Serena and Venus, as they later went on to achieve the World No. 1 ranking in tennis, earning a total of 30 Grand Slams (combined)!
Apart from that, when Venus first played at a Wimbledon match, the disparity of prize money was a common thing, similar to other sports like basketball, baseball, and soccer. However, unlike other sports, change soon followed in tennis, with their powerful voices pointing at the same.
Currently, many Grand Slam tournaments, like the Australian Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon, offer equal prize money to both men and women, intriguing more interest and increasing female players’ participation in the sport. McEnroe, aptly puts it by saying, “So the playing field is more level in tennis, women’s tennis than any other sport. Equal prize money, they have more opportunities, guess what the best athletes are playing. That’s what we need.”
Serena and Venus are certainly the role models who have illuminated the path for many potential future athletes in the world. The job is not done yet and Serena is hopeful about continuing with her work to “change” the mindset of many people.
Serena’s fight for the “question of resilience”!
The 42-year-old former tennis player has remained absent from the sport since 2022. However, the queen of tennis still reigns in all our hearts! You’ll either find her appearing in a Met Gala event, setting new fashion trends, launching her own makeup line (Wyn Beauty), or debuting as a host on an award show (ESPYs 2024). Her relevance and dominating presence in the tennis world are, otherwise, something one can never take their eyes away from. But what is the secret to this?
In her own words, “Too often women are not supported enough or are discouraged from choosing their path. I hope together we can change that. For me, it was a question of resilience. What others marked as flaws or disadvantages about myself – my race, my gender – I embraced as fuel for my success. I never let anything or anyone define me or my potential. I controlled my future.”
Serena Williams and her sister have pushed the boundaries of athleticism and skills to an unimaginable level. What they have left in tennis is a legacy that will remain forever!
