"Hopefully she'll continue to do what she's doing": Serena Williams has some words of wisdom for young women's basketball sensation Caitlin Clark

Saturday, 15 June 2024 at 18:31

Serena Williams serving during Cincinnati Open 2022

Former world number one Serena Williams has backed the young women’s basketball sensation Caitlin Clark in dealing with criticism.

The 22-year-old is already regarded as the one for the future after showcasing her talent in college basketball.

Even though she has already been tipped for greatness, the youngster has also received criticism from different quarters for not living up to expectations in big matches.

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Serena, often regarded as the greatest player in the history of women’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, was recently quoted in a report where she backed Clark to overcome such critics.

Serena believed that if people criticise a player of Clarke’s ability, she must be doing something right.

“I was bullied. Things I had to go through, now, people would be canceled for saying back then,” she said. “I just love that she tries to stay grounded and that she doesn't look at her social. I get it. I don't either.

"And I think it's so important to continue doing what she's doing… And no matter what other people do, if people are negative then it's because they can't do what you do… basically. And hopefully she'll continue to do what she's doing.”

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Serena retired from professional sport in 2022 after struggling with form and fitness towards the end of her career. She ended up winning 73 titles in her career, the fifth-most in women’s tennis history. She is only behind Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Margaret Court in that list.

Not only that, but Serena also became only the second player in the history of women’s tennis to complete a Career Golden Slam after Graf.

She won all the major titles in women’s tennis, and in 2012, she also won an Olympic gold medal for her country after beating Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the final in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.

Azeem Siddiqui

Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.

He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.

In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.

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