During her nearly three-decade tennis career, Serena Williams has broken down barriers not only in sports, but in fashion and activism as well.
Since turning professional in 1995, Williams, along with her older sister Venus Williams, completely changed the world of tennis, paving the way for more people of color, especially black people, to make a name for themselves.
Now 40 years old, Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open at least six times.
However, in recent years, Williams has been beset by injuries, forcing her to either withdraw or not participate in some Grand Slam tournaments.
This week, the tennis giant revealed in an article for Vogue that she would “develop away” from the sport after the 2022 US Open, which takes place in late August-September, hinting at retirement.
However he wrote that he “never liked the word retirement” and prefers to use “growth” in reference to what the future has in store for him, which could potentially include growing his family and business ventures. Is. Williams also has a sustainable clothing line called S by Serena, inspired by ’90s streetwear.
“I am here to tell you that I am moving away from tennis to other things that are important to me,” she wrote in the article. “A few years ago I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after, I started a family. I want to grow that family. But I’m reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I should Have to move on from tennis.”
Williams is married to Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit. The two have a daughter together, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., better known as Olympia, who turns five in September.
In one of her Instagram posts on the cover of Vogue, she wrote in a caption, “There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. Those times are always tough when you love something so much . My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now the countdown has begun.”
Williams, as detailed in the sports biopic “King Richard,” released in December, and her sister Venus Williams, along with her father, Richard Williams, and mother, Oresin Price, have been playing tennis since coaching her.
Venus and Serena Williams at Arthur Ashe Day at the 2004 US Open in New York City.
Getty Images
The pair has been pioneers on the court with an aggressive playing style and extravagant, brightly colored and brightly patterned outfits.
Over the years, Williams has continued to challenge the typical ensembles worn by female players by wearing neon colors, leopard print, catsuit-like silhouettes, and even a denim skirt and knee-high boots.
She became famous for her catsuit, first at the 2002 US Open, and then at the 2018 French Open for wearing an all-black catsuit with a red waist belt. Although fans and the media praised him for going against the grain and wearing it, French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli claimed it would not be allowed at the time.
Serena Williams at the 2018 French Open.
Getty Images
Additionally, at Wimbledon, Williams pushed the boundaries on the dress code, which is completely white. In 2010 and 2012, she wore brightly colored undershorts during tournaments, which she did for good luck. (In 2010 and 2012, Williams took the title.)
At the 2018 US Open, Williams wore some custom off-white tennis outfits designed by the late Virgil Abloh himself. Styles include a one-shoulder top and tulle tutu skirt in black and purple.
At the 2021 Australian Open, she paid tribute to late track and field star Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, donning a one-legged long-sleeved catsuit in bright pink and black.
Click through the gallery above to see some of Serena Williams’ best on-court tennis outfits over the years.
Originally published at Pen 18
No comments:
Post a Comment