When life gives you lemon, make lemonade! Similarly, when life gives you too many critics, serve aces on their faces like Serena Williams. Remember the 2007 season? Williams suffered a knee injury in 2006, which kept her out of action for almost six months. Although she came back and played three tournaments, she dropped to the 95th place in the women’s singles ranking. Critiques made their displeasure known from every corner, and this led her to conclude, “The general consensus was that I was a big fat cow.” She recently spoke about all those issues in her docuseries ‘In the Arena: Serena‘.

Williams entered the 2007 AO unseeded. The tennis world raised their eyebrows seeing her slow movement in the opening rounds and they claimed she was overweight. However, the ‘Queen‘ was always determined, regularly slapping her thighs and swearing at herself for motivation. No one predicted she would reach the final, but her incredible willpower saw her through in the finals against Maria Sharapova.

She dedicated that emphatic triumph to the memories of her beloved sister, Yetunde. “It was an awesome win because I had so many critics, so many people talking bad and saying negative things and saying I wasn’t fit,” said Serena Williams.

The journey was never a bed full of roses for this American tennis star, but she overcame every hurdle that came her way in her own style! Recalling all those negative comments during the 2007 season, Serena Williams said a few words in her docuseries. The 42-year-old stated, “They were used to seeing women that didn’t have a figure, and I was a Black woman with a figure. And 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.“

It’s never easy to be on those big stages playing tournament after tournament with someone commenting about his/her body. She often has opened up about her body insecurities in growing up comparing herself to her sister Venus Williams. However, now she thinks she has learned to embrace the differences and tackle the negativities in her own way. Who helped her in the process though?

“I was really struggling” – Serena Williams reveals the name of that person who showed her the light in a dark tunnel

Even two years after 2007, Williams had to face a similar situation when her looks gained more focus than her actual game. Then there were times when she felt, “People would say I was born a guy, all because of my arms, or because I’m strong. I was different to Venus: she was thin and tall and beautiful, and I am strong and muscular.” Williams felt top tennis players, in general, didn’t look like her. Perhaps that might be one of the reasons why people showered her with question marks on whether she can also win matches with these looks.

However, her sister, Yetunde, who’s no longer with us gave her a lesson that she still remembers to date. Serena was really struggling a lot with these issues in that phase of her career. However, Yetunde told her, “You know, everyone is different. You’re not Venus, and you’re never going to be Venus. You’re never going to be as thin as her, and that’s okay.“

She told her she was never going to be as tall as her, and that was quite okay. Nothing is wrong with that. Her sister always wanted her to believe that she had a beautiful body and a beautiful face on her own. This is the exact point of time when Serena Williams started to feel more comfortable with whom she was rather than paying any heed to negative comments.

Hollywood’s Dolby Theater might have been glittering with star power on July 11th, but it was host Serena Williams who threw the first curveball. Her opening monologue landed a punchline on Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ phenom, who’d recently fallen victim to a $16 million theft by his ex-interpreter. To quote her exact words—“Male athletes get paid SO MUCH more than female athletes, they don’t even notice losing SIXTEEN MILLIONNN DOLLARS,” the tennis legend quipped, drawing both gasps and laughter.

For the subject of the satire, Ohtani, the night was a bittersweet symphony. He might have won the Best MLB Player award—yet, lurking beneath this triumph was the betrayal of trust and a staggering financial loss. The irony was palpable: celebrated for his athletic prowess, victimized by a close confidant.

Ippei Mizuhara, Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter and trusted companion, now stands accused of orchestrating this grand larceny. Federal prosecutors allege Mizuhara, drowning in gambling debts, siphoned the funds from the baseballer’s account through deceitful means. A story of friendship turned sour, Mizuhara’s alleged actions cast a shadow over his long-time friend’s achievements, underscoring the vulnerabilities even the most successful athletes face. Besides the basepaths and buzzes of betrayal, though, lies Serena’s rallying cry, a powerful message that goes deeper than just the joke.

Williams’ roast, though delivered with comedic flair, served as a stark reminder of the persistent gender pay gap in professional sports. Ohtani’s misfortune became a parable for a larger issue. “Believe me—I would’ve noticed,” she asserted, highlighting the financial disparities female athletes often grapple with. Her words resonated with the audience as they were heard reacting with a medley of loud cheers and gasps, sparking conversations about equity and fairness in a male-dominated industry. However, beyond the controversy, the ESPYs showcased the year’s athletic excellence.

As a testament to Serena’s speech, the ESPY stage turned out to be a celebration of women’s achievements in sports. A’ja Wilson’s double victory as both the Best WNBA Player and Best Athlete, in Women’s Sports, along with Caitlin Clark’s win for Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports, and Best Record-Breaking Performance as NCAA All-time Leader, with Simone Biles’ triumphant return as Best Comeback Athlete, underscored the growing recognition and appreciation for women’s athleticism.

The South Carolina Women’s Basketball team’s win for Best Team further cemented the dominance and skill displayed by female athletes across various sports. This collective success painted a vibrant picture of empowerment, proving that women are not only breaking barriers but also redefining excellence in their respective fields. Beyond the controversy, the ESPYs showcased the year’s athletic excellence. Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, clinched both the Best NFL Player and the Best Athlete, Men’s Sports awards, while Luka Doncic shone in his basketball domain as the Best NBA Player. The night celebrated triumphs but also underscored the challenges athletes face off the field.

As the dust settles, both Serena Williams and Shohei Ohtani will continue to shape their legacies—one joke, one hit at a time—Ohtani, on the field, and Williams, as a voice for change. The 2024 ESPYs will be remembered not just for their award winners but also for the conversations they sparked, the issues they raised, and the resilience they showcased. The game, in all its forms, goes on.

It’s remarkable that when we look back at Andy Murray’s Wimbledon career, we’ll remember some of his mixed doubles matches. This is a man, after all, who ended a 77-year British title drought in gentlemen’s singles, earned a second trophy three years later, and won an Olympic gold medal on Centre Court.

You would think that those legendary achievements were all anyone could think of when recalling the Scot’s play at SW19. And yet—who can forget when Murray and Serena Williams partnered for a star-studded mixed doubles team, one of the finest in Grand Slam history?

Certainly not Serena.

“I had the pleasure of playing mixed doubles next to you, by your side, which was such a fantastic experience,” Williams told Murray in a heartfelt video posted to social media on Friday. “It really was one of the highlights of my life.”

The pair with a combined nine Wimbledon singles titles (they each won singles in 2016, but never won another) won two mixed doubles matches in 2019, eventually falling to the top seeds Nicole Melichar and Bruno Soares.

“I’m just so grateful that I had that experience,” Williams said, “and also hold a special place in my heart for you because you always speak out so much for women, and everything that women deserve.”

Murray has long been a vocal advocate for women’s sports. And beyond talking the talk, he walked the walk, in a sense, when he hired Amelie Mauresmo as coach. Murray’s mum, Judy, has always been a strong influence, as was made clear during his emotional interview following Thursday’s doubles loss with brother Jamie.

In her tribute, Serena continued to laud Murray for turning thoughts into action.

“You were the leader in that, the things you spoke up about on—the things you said about myself and Venus, about how we were always so inspiring, and what we meant to you—it really went such a long way, in my heart.

“I will always be grateful for that.”

Thursday’s match wasn’t Murray’s last at Wimbledon—that will be alongside fellow Brit Emma Raducanu, in mixed doubles. The 2012 and 2021 US Open champions are scheduled to play Marcelo Arevalo and Zhang Shuai on Saturday.

Safe to say that a certain American superstar will be watching.

“I’ve always been such a fan, as you already know,” Williams said with a beaming smile, “and I will always be cheering for you and rooting you on, whatever you decide to do next.”

The iconic Williams sisters are back to channeling their inner fashionistas in Paris. After their dazzling presence at the Met Gala this year, Serena and Venus Williams joined the platform of fashion again to showcase their take on synthesizing it with tennis. As they take the world by storm with their iconic looks, Venus Williams showcases a perfect sisterhood moment as she reveals that working with her sister is “always the best.”

Both Serena Williams and Venus Williams were in sports-inspired dresses, taking all the limelight at the event. This year, Vogue World partnered with young athletic associations around France and collaborated with various sports with a rich history of at least 100 years. The talented Williams sisters, who represented 2000s tennis at the event, represented their brilliance again in synthesizing tennis with fashion.

The Tennis Letter took their X platform to share Serena and Venus Williams’s gorgeous clip of walking the ramp at the Paris Fashion Show. “Serena and Venus absolutely killed this catwalk at Vogue World Paris. A segment of the show was dedicated to sports throughout the decades. The 2000s was dedicated to tennis. Iconic. (via@voguemagazine)”- they wrote.

Serena Williams’s elder sister wore a customized Marine Serre gown, which was created from repurposed tennis bags. She looked absolutely gorgeous and glamorous in her black lunge neck gown, highlighted with white, mauve, red, and orange hues.

Who is the best server in women’s tennis? Tennis fans wouldn’t even blink before saying, ‘Serena Williams.’  The tennis legend is certainly gifted with a ‘Midas touch.’ Though Williams has evolved away from tennis post her retirement, one thing has been constant – the 23-time Grand Slam champion has dominated every field she has stepped in. However, there has been some serious revelation behind her more than 2-decades of domination on the tennis court.

On June 20th, Eugenie Bouchard joined Steve Weissman, and Andy Roddick on the Tennis Channel live podcast to discuss the Team USA Olympic Roster and who has the best serve on the Tour. When Bouchard was asked the best server she had ever faced, the tennis and pickleball player answered, Serena Williams.

She further explains why Williams is the greatest server for her. Bouchard concurs with tennis fans, as she accepts that her formidable strength has been the reason behind it. She said, “She has that power which everyone thinks of in the start, it’s an obvious one.” However, it’s not just power that contributed to Williams’ terrifying serve. She further narrates her experience of facing Williams’ serve. She added, “But it’s more than that. She disguises it really well. At times I’m there on the court, and the ball hits the back bench before I even realize that it has bounced and I was supposed to return it.”

Serena’s serve became a guessing game for her opponents. The major factor that contributed to this dominance was her unbreakable form! Whether she is serving a slow slice serve with a below 100mph speed or a powerful one with over 120 mph, her form is never disturbed. Bouchard revealed, “So the power is there, but you don’t know where it is going. She has a great turn, and she has the same toss whether she is going wide or T, That makes her power much more effective. The GOAT server of all time”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion is said to have the Once-In-A-Lifetime Serve. Her former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, once called her the best server ever. The American tennis legend’s serve averaged around 106 mph and her fastest came during her peak in 2013. Williams blew the margins set with her 128.6 mph serve. Moreover, as she neared her retirement, her service peaked at 125.5 mph at the Australian equalling Rafael Nadal at the tournament.

However, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is no longer on tour. And search for her heir apparent is going on, the one who would step into the shoes of Serena Williams. Though her daughter Olympia is certainly seen as a successor, in contemporary times, it might be Coco Gauff who would take her crown.

Coco Gauff’s impressive serve makes her heir apparent contender as Serena searches an ‘extra oomph’ for Olympia

Coco Gauff did not win the Australian Open 2024, but her strong serve did turn heads. During the Australian Open, Gauff clocked Melbourne’s fastest serve with an impressive 124.9mph. Falling just a few short of Williams’ fastest serve! Though the 20-year-old has a long professional career ahead and is yet to reach her peak, she is the youngest American woman to win the US Open after Serena Williams. The World No.2 is in the right direction as she looks to dethrone her idol!

However, tennis fans are eager for Olympia Ohanian to take after Serena Williams. But the 23-time Grand Slam champion is finding it difficult as she struggles to be hard with ‘cute’ Olympia. However, Williams has not given up as she looks for that ‘extra oomph’ which pushed her to be the queen of the court one day.

Serena Williams and Roger Federer know how to entertain both on and off the court! With their highly anticipated docuseries, the pair will immerse the audience in the exhilarating memories of their dominant tennis era. However, as Williams’ In the Arena: Serena Williams and the Swiss’ “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” release dates draw closer, comparisons between the duo’s journey in tennis become even more inevitable. Apart from fans and experts, the former WTA player, Alexandra Stevenson, also reflected on the subject, revealing her curiosity about the possible reaction that the docuseries might draw from the audience.

On June 17, Serving Aces released its latest episode titled, “Dr. Federer and Welcome to the Grass.” Along with the co-host, Hugues Laverdiere, Alexandra Stevenson discussed Roger Federer’s doctorate graduation ceremony at Dartmouth University, among many other topics. During the mid-segment, the 43-year-old former player engaged in a conversation about the upcoming documentaries in the tennis world.

Admitting that she has not seen any of the documentaries yet, Stevenson said, “It’ll be interesting to see the differences and the similarities from two champions. And who do you feel for, Who do you have empathy for.” Explaining her reasons, Stevenson, who lost the one match she ever played against Williams in Indian Wells in 2000, added, “Because sometimes, champions can be jerks, and you’re like, I have no empathy for you.

She further explained that she will enjoy witnessing how the audience will decide who seems more “human” to them and whose “humble” nature grabs more attention. “I think we should discuss that we should watch both documentaries. And then definitely where we go with that,” Stevenson concluded her statement.

As both films are going to release within a span of a few weeks, debates regarding who is better will continue. However, Williams once jokingly said, “He’s not better than me. I got 23 (slams), he’s got 20,” during a mixed doubles match against Federer. Although both have set their own records in tennis and made history in the game, the former World No. 1s are nothing but an inspiration to all.

On one hand, in Federer’s documentary (set to release on June 20th on Prime Video), the last twelve days of his career leading up to his final match in the Laver Cup of 2022. On the other hand, Serena Williams’ eight-part documentary (which will be released on ESPN+ on July 10), will showcase some of the behind-the-scenes challenges and triumphs of her career. And both are excited to offer a glimpse of their personal journey in tennis and reveal their insights at a recent event.

Roger Federer and Serena Williams share their candid thoughts on their upcoming documentaries

The two former Wimbledon Champions recently graced the red carpet at the Big Apple event to promote their respective documentaries and it further excited the fans! The screenings at the iconic Tribeca Film Festival added a new layer of anticipation for everyone. Both shared their honest reflections about their film during the event. According to Federer, “An athlete’s journey is emotional, as we know, but I think also seeing the beautiful friendships we create, the bonds, and then through the rivalry, it’s unbreakable … I think that’s the beauty of this film as well.”

However, Serena Williams said, “In my position and growing up as a teenager and 14, I kind of had to be guarded to just kind of stay sane, and just being in so much press, do everything I was doing. It was a grind. It’s really cool to see a … true side of what happens behind the scenes. ” As Roger Federer and Serena Williams’ legacy in tennis continues, fans are thrilled to observe their favorite athletes once again, this time not on-court, but on screen!

The 2024 season is set to be all about cherishing new tennis champions and remembering the careers of the ones who left. Millions of fans across the globe are eagerly anticipating a flashback of Serena Williams‘ legendary career as a docuseries is about to roll out soon enough. While there were other tennis legends closely aligned with her dominant runs, the WTA legend recently mentioned the unfolding of a mystery in her series.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, tennis legend Serena Williams was exposed to a question about her rivalry with Maria Sharapova. Instead of repeating the whole answer, the legend pointed at her upcoming docuseries, “In the Arena: Serena Williams.”

During the interview, Williams was asked about how Sharapova’s early victories changed into a long trail of defeats. “Did you just decide, This person is never beating me again?” the reporter asked. Serena remembered that she had given a detailed explanation of this lead in her upcoming docuseries. Assuming that the reporter might already know if he has witnessed the series, she said, “Oh, man, you didn’t see it? I think that’s Episode 3.”

The interviewer, admitting they had only seen the first two episodes, expressed curiosity about the rest. Serena urged them to watch more, saying that the answer they seek is right there. “God, I’m so sad. You have to see the rest. You gotta wait for it. There was a reason why I didn’t lose to her, and I explain that,” she added.

Her rivalry against Maria Sharapova is one of the most highlighted in tennis history. Both the players came across each other a total of 22 times in which Williams managed to secure 20 massive wins. Sharapova managed to win only twice, and in total, secured 7 sets against Williams’ 41.

Set to stream on ESPN+ next month, the series “In the Arena: Serena Williams” is an eight-part documentary that will allow fans a deeper dive into Serena’s amazing career and her many achievements. The fact that Serena’s documentary is set to include the angle of her rivalry with Sharapova adds more intrigue to it.

It has been nearly two years since Serena Williams marked an end to her professional career. That was the last time when she played the role of a tennis player and as that ended, her rivalries ended too. After coming a long way with Maria Sharapova, things seemed to have chilled out as they both were recently spotted flaunting their outfits together.

The stars gathered around during the Paris Fashion Week. While Serena Williams carries a similarity with her rival Maria Sharapova about being in the world of fashion, they both came across each other and therefore embraced as if they matter. Soon after bumping into each other among the crowd, the former WTA pros were seen sharing a laugh and celebrations.

The two also met up at the Met Gala, along with Williams’ sister Venus. They might not have gotten along on the court but off of it, everyone is all smiles!

Serena Williams‘ chemistry with Alexis Ohanian is one that can’t be made in labs! While the sports world doesn’t often see success stories like theirs, it took Williams precious time and people with whom she had a disconnect to get here. However, before Ohanian even entered Serena’s life, there was another face that the American begrudgingly thanked, even after years of breaking up with him.

Serena Williams’ docuseries has taken over social media, with the premier of ‘In the Arena: Serena Williams’ already having taken place at Tribeca. When promoting the series, Access Hollywood asked Williams whether it was true that she thanked her first-ever boyfriend in the docuseries. The retired pro, who seems reluctant to answer at first, admits, “I mean yeah I did thank him but it was a joke,” mentioning that it wasn’t actually a generous thank you.

This incident likely points back to the year 2002 when Serena Williams was beginning to prove that she was not an ordinary player. While the former pro was rumored to be dating Washington Redskins’ then-linebacker LaVar Arrington back then, the separation from him made her gain a motivation that helped her secure massive feats.

Continuing to explain what made her give out this regard to her first boyfriend, Williams added, “I’m one of those athletes that really just need an excuse to win so I talked about this in the docuseries and then I talk about how I used that break up as like a reason to just be great. I pushed me forward and then I was like Thank You.”

Starting from the French Open title in the same year, Serena secured a thrilling win at Roland Garros where she took down her sister Venus for the second major title. Continuing her lead, the former pro stunned the sporting world by becoming the champion at Wimbledon, US Open, and then again at the Australian Open 2003.

While it was a push that helped her secure massive feats, the former pro decided not to see it as a harsh memory but as something that happened for good. For the fans intrigued enough to find out more about Serena’s breakup, she took a moment in the past to give out the details of it.

Serena Williams explains her productive heartbreak

“I cry a lot but I am so productive, it’s an art” might be a 2024 lyric from the queen of heartbreak anthems but Serena Williams has been exploring it since the beginning. Her unparalleled lead was an engaging movie-like story, with fans curious to hear about what exactly the legend felt when she parted ways with her first boyfriend.

“This guy tore my heart in half. Then he ripped those pieces and stepped on them and backed his car up over them. And the worst part was he left me thinking it was me,” she reportedly revealed in an interview back in 2009. Mentioning how she decided to turn the terrible incident into her armor to show her dominance to the world, the former pro added, “I decided tennis would be my salvation. I wanted So-and-So to regret how he treated me. I wanted him to see me everywhere.”

Serena Williams’ story of attaining glory came out to be a hit. While this shows the absolute control the former pro had on her emotions, it is surely one of the lessons that the world should learn from her journey.