Serena Says It Loud And Clear: “My Career Is My Life, More Than My Career”

Serena Williams is a power to reckon with. Of course, post the 22 Grand Slam victories it’s impossible to contest that.


Serena has actively been voicing her opinion on issues concerning her off the court. Her facebook post dated 28 September, went viral for all the right reasons. Her “I won’t be silent” quote pointed out the fallacy of tolerating injustices with patience. 


As the year is nearing to its end, Serena Williams, one of the greatest athletes of all time, has yet again spoken. She spoke about her life, her passion, her hobbies, race, gender and fame, holding back nothing. 


Rapper Common and the tennis champion, spoke at length, about various facets of Serena’s life on ESPN’s The Undefeated. 

Few kickass quotes from Serena’s interview, have been listed below, to charge you up for a rocking new year. 


ON FAME

“I’m so focused on what I need to do to be the best I can be — and then better. At a very young age, I think I was 17, I stopped reading any press about me. I think that helped me avoid a lot of the scrutiny, and I kind of put myself in a bubble. I feel like I definitely was scrutinized because I was confident…...‘I feel like I can be No. 1.’ Well, why shouldn’t I say that? If I don’t think I’m going to be the best, why do I play?” 


Serena has hit the nail with this reply. Why would you work, if you’re not good at it? Sure, practice maketh a man (a woman too) perfect. But believing in yourself drives you to aim and work towards achieving excellence. 


Take cue from her and stride towards being greater than the best.


ON RACISM


The US is grappling with the issue of racism now, more than it did, say a couple of years back. 


Police brutality in America especially targeting African-American citizens is a major concern. Her post represents the fear in the hearts of scores of black people residing in America.

“It’s very challenging because sometimes when things are blatantly wrong and blatantly unfair and blatantly racist or sexist, I just have to go and put on a brave smile and not let anyone know how I feel on the inside so they don’t get that satisfaction even though on the inside I would be dying,”


Here is a woman, who is not speaking like a champion, but like a concerned citizen.


She does get that being on the level where she is, you cannot afford to let social issues pass by. But, it’s not as easy as it seems. Belonging to the sport which is dominated by white male players, finding your voice becomes challenging.  


Serena accepted her hesitance to come out clean about her stand in the past, to the issues relating to race, pay disparity and so.


Sure it seems like you’re on a war footing, but as Serena puts it perfectly, “We didn’t come this far to give up.”

ON EMBRACING HERSELF


When you’re constantly being scrutinized for your size, shape and color, it does affect one’s confidence.







“There was a time when I didn’t feel incredibly comfortable about my body because I felt like I was too strong. I had to take a second and think, ‘Who says I’m too strong? This body has enabled me to be the greatest player that I can be.….. I’m just really thankful for the way I was brought up by my mom and my dad to give me that confidence. I could have been discouraged, and I wouldn’t be as great as I was because I would have done different exercises or I would have done different things. I totally embrace who I am and what I am.”

We are constantly reminded, either we are too tall, too short, too dark, too fair, too fat, or too skinny. The list is never-ending but Serena shuts down the naysayers by stating the obvious fact.
 

It’s because of her-STRONG-body, she is considered one of the greatest players of all time. She isn’t called powerhouse for nothing!


Embrace yourself and let people have their opinions, as they are entitled to them. But that shouldn’t bring us down. 


We tend to weigh, what other people might think or say about us. Rather focussing on our feelings about us, it shifts to other people’s opinions. That’s when it goes downhill and our confidence takes a beating.


ON BEING A FASHIONISTA


“And now my body is in style, so I’m feeling good about it. Like, I’m finally in style! It took awhile to get there.


It as simple as put by Serena. Artists while on stage put on the best of clothes to look good. Same goes with the players. Court is their stage and Serena wants to look her best (which she does)

 

You get it how uber cool and confident is the champ, when she says on court  “I’m sweating, grunting and making noises and I wanna look great doing it.” 


We totally get you Serena! That’s honesty personified to me.

Watch out the full interview in the video below and write to us about your views on Serena’s take on work, fame and shaming.