The 23-time
Grand Slam champion Serena Williams earned the world’s respect from the moment
she burst onto the WTA scene, and for many, she became the greatest tennis
player in history after more than 20 years of dominance. However, the former
World No. 1 did not always enjoy unconditional support from the public.
From their
debut on the Tour, Serena and her elder sister Venus Williams represented a
turning point for Black players in tennis, ushering in a new era where
diversity in the sport became more visible. Coming from a poor neighborhood in
Compton, Serena had to navigate competing in a predominantly white sport.
In a 2020
interview with Sky Sports, Serena Williams spoke about how she coped
with racism and leaned on religion to get through difficult moments. "A
lot of people don't know that in my whole life, I've had to deal with so many
different challenges,” she said. “I've had to deal with a lot of inequality,
I've had to deal with racism, and sadly, it's become, unfortunately, somewhat
of a norm for people who have my skin colour."
"It is
really unfortunate, but it's something I think that, systematically, we just
have to ultimately deal with, and I shouldn't have let it become a norm,"
she added. "I, personally, am very God-fearing, and I believe in the
Bible, and the one way that we can have peace and security is through God. I've
taken solace in that, but it's sad that someone on my level has had to accept
so many different things because of the colour of my skin.”
Serena
Williams has become a symbol of the fight against racism in sports, with her
influence transcending tennis to establish her as one of the most remarkable
female athletes in history. "It's hard. It's something that,
unfortunately, has become normal for us. It's normal to go to different places
and feel unaccepted. I entered a sport that was all white, and it definitely
wasn't easy, looking back," she reflected in the interview.
"I was
also very young and I just adapted. I wasn't there to be besties with anybody;
I was just there to play tennis... and it all really boiled down to my faith,
and that all of this is temporary. I don't think I would be in this position. I
think I would be very angry, very spiteful, very jealous if I didn't have that
spiritual background," she concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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