When we last checked in with Serena Williams, it was last year and she was A) being rightfully slammed for trash-talking the Steubenville rape victim and B) being not-so-righteously slammed as a “homewrecker” by Maria Sharapova. All in all, it was time to go away for a little bit and reboot. And I guess that’s what Serena did. Serena covers the new issue of Fitness Magazine, and the interview is all about positive body image and nothing at all controversial. Some highlights:
The Two Serenas: “I think of myself as two different people. There’s the Serena Williams that everyone knows: She’s crazy. She can’t make a mistake. And she’s angry and just not nice, to be honest. I’m only that person for three hours a day, when I’m on the court. The rest of the time I’m just Serena. I’m the class clown.”
The tennis court is her office: “I’m a little insane. That’s when Serena Williams comes out and she’s nuts. That really upsets me. It’s not the real me. I was watching this match the other day with my dad, and I literally looked like I was going to cry on the court even though I was up 5-1 match point! I thought, Gosh, why was I so stressed out? Even for me, it’s shocking to see. But in another way, it’s kind of cool to know that I have everything together on the court, because I don’t really have my life together personally. I’m here and there and everywhere traveling the world and playing tennis. Recently, though, I’ve gotten more serious. I’ve decided that my foundation is going to open another school in Africa.”
Body image: “When I was young, I thought I should be built more like an athlete, long and lean, not with a womanly figure. But then people my age started coming up to me and saying, ‘I love you because of the way you look.’ They could relate to me. That was really motivating. So I learned to be proud of my curves and embrace my large boobs and my butt. It’s all about loving who you are and realizing that you’re beautiful.”
Diet: “It all started because I didn’t want to bring bad food into the house. I live with my sister, Venus, who has Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease. Before her problems, I ate a lot of junk. I also found out three years ago that I’m allergic to wheat, so I’m trying to eat a clean diet of natural, raw foods.”
Feeling less than confident: “Unless I’m eating really healthy, I feel that way almost every other week. I feel as if I can do better and be smaller, which I think is just a natural thing for women to feel. We’re taught that we have to look a certain way.”
Fitness: “For me it’s so important to mix it up, I ran, and then I biked. Then I did elliptical … I tried yoga. I started dancing because I couldn’t train when I was sick. We started making up moves, and it was fun. Now I run for 10 minutes and then I dance.”
I do find Serena inspiring, but only in limited doses. As an athlete, yes, she’s incredibly inspiring. As a role model for the more voluptous/strong/curvy body type? Yes, she’s inspiring. Her attitude overall? Not that inspiring. But she’s a winner and that’s what she’s focused on. Which is fine. Not everyone has to be all things to all people.
Photos courtesy of Fitness.
“I’m a little insane.”
(Cough)
Who isn’t?
Touché.
LOL
Love her.
It might be a more inspiring message with less photoshop, ‘cos nothing says “I love my shape” than digitally slicing a few inches off!
I know I should admire her game and resilience, but every time she opens her mouth she sounds like the high school bitch and, y’know, there’s the missed drug test a couple of years ago…
This and the angles the’ve posed her at minimize her curvature and thighs. 2 very different messages Fitness magazine.
Can we just be clear that the photoshopping is the work of some idiot editor somewhere. Serena IS demonstrably proud of her body. She dresses it as she likes and resists the hide-this-disguise-that type of clothing. Also that drug test incident is completely overplayed by her haters, imho.
ITA Omega.
I like Serena. Not saying she is perfect or hasn’t done/said some incredibly irresponsible/ignorant things but I do admire her game and determination. As noted, she does not have to be everything to everybody but imo she possesses that strength of will and “can-do” mindset that makes her a winner. Her last come back from injury is so evident of that.
Also, she does alot behind-the-scenes work with Venus at the USTA and humanitarian work with her foundation that the media ignores because it does not jive with the “Serena the bully” image but rather they sensationalize her missteps. And yes, she should be (and has been) held accountable by the relevant authorities for those missteps but I believe in crafting a fair picture of people, not a biased one.
Yet others guilty of equally offensive behavior are praised and saluted. Yeah, whatever.
As for the drug testing incident, way over played by haters and btw, in recent years, Serena is among the most frequently tested players (among a few other top players) as noted by this article on Tennis.com and this is only for the ITF so it does not include the separate USADA testing – http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/04/drug-testing-tennis-increases-not-evenly-all-players/51081/
btw, my mistake by I meant Serena’s work with Venus and the WTA, not USTA.
I just wish she would get some bikinis in her size.
I’m a little weary of women with great bodies talking about how they struggled to accept some minor “flaw” like having breasts. I’m not picking on her in particular. I just think we’ve had a lot of that lately.
So, I’ll add my own. Even though my face and body are perfect, and I am a brain surgeon and an Olympic athlete, I always lacked confidence because of the rather large gap between my thighs. As I grew, however, I came to accept this as part of my extraordinary, unique beauty. I’m gorgeous, y’all. Suck it. ~S
Hi Miss, I Believe I Owe ye, a huggy hug! *hug*
On topic: This girl is admirable for her strength, power, athletic prowess and for introducing another body type to the beauty conversation
But That’s as far as I take it, sis has a shit attitude and bitchiness that is a mile wide and well known!
Another plus is the fact that they finally got their hair together?! Ive never understood how Millionairess with all that access had worse hair than girls that do their hair in a neighbor’s kitchen
*hug* back to you!
Yes, I think she has a lot to admire, but could work on tact. I’m glad she accepts her body, which is awesome, and there’s nothing wrong with what she said, just seems like everyone who looks better than I do has to “accept” some little ding in their perfection. I’ll trade!
I’m still mad at the bitch for what she said about the Steubenville rape victim but I will excuse her for talking about her body type. Her body type was not always accepted as what women should look like. It was girls such as Maria Sharapova and Anna Kournikova who the media praised as the beauties of tennis with perfect bodies. Serena and her sister have had some pretty nasty things said about their looks in the past so I can understand her insecurities if she had any.
“I’m still mad at the bitch for what she said about the Steubenville rape victim”
Yeah me too, V4Real. I also agree with what you said regarding the criticism of the Williams sisters’ looks.
That being said, am I the only one that kind of admires her fiercely competitive attitude? I don’t know….I think it’s kind of awesome (in the literal definition of the word) to see a woman who puts so much into every game. Sure, she might not have the best sense of sportsmanship but neither did Jimmy Connors or John McEnroe. In fact, tennis is notorious for diva-like behavior and I actually kind of dig that theatrical aspect of the sport.
Is something wrong with me? You can tell me the truth.
@GoodNames – I admire how fiercely competitive she is as well. There’s just an incredible toughness there.
Her comments about Steubenville were ridiculous, and were utterly un-called for. But I don’t know if that’s going to be the only thing that defines her for me, as it was made out of complete idiocy and ignorance and she did at least apologize. I’ll certainly keep it in the back of my mind, but since Williams lives most of the time in Paris I can cut her a little slack on US current events and hope that one day she learns that going to a party at 15 doesnt makethat girl responsible for what happened to her.
I can’t look past the rape comments. I will never like her again.
@TOK “Is something wrong with me? You can tell me the truth.”
No, nothing is wrong with you. Serena’s behavior on the court is what draws me to her along with her ability. She goes hard and she leaves it all on the court, win or lose. Like you, I don’t have a problem with her so called bad sportsmenshiplike behavior. As you said McEnroe and Connor were notorious for behaving unethical and I must say I loved when they went full blown diva on the courts. It was highly entertaining.
Then again something could be wrong with me as well. 🙂
Haaaa nailed it, Goodnames!
Right? It always comes across as a humble brag to me, I remember reading an article in which Jessica Alba complained about struggling because people couldn’t look past her “hotness”. 😒
Ahahhaah, sending hugs to you Goodnames!! I feel your pain but I’m inspired by your strength to see past that gap!
You know Briget, ITA.
I was really angry/upset with her Steubenville comments but I agree, they do not define her for me. At least not beyond Serena is seriously ignorant and this is a tremendous teachable moment for one of the biggest female athletes in the world and for our rape culture.
But my ire toward Serena kind of faded to a simmer over time because in the months since, there have been so many similar comments publicly issued by parents, Princeton mom, lawyers, politicians, etc (I could go on there are so many). And I think to myself, this is our rape culture, and it’s perpetuated by people at various levels of authority. Serena is just one example of a person with this warped thinking. So while I still think she’s ignorant, I don’t see her as being particularly vicious or cruel. I don’t think she is. From what I read in comments sections about other rape cases, I see Serena as being one of a few who openly stated what millions silently think (or post online) but are not in a position to publicly voice simply because they are not in a position of power. Or they know they will be heavily criticized and cencored for it.
btw, I don’t want to make this sound like I am praising Serena here because there is nothing good about ignorance, but I am just saying that after seeing the sentments she expressed repeatedly from various people in power, I realized that Serena is just the tip of a very large “rape culture” iceberg. We need to rethink how we relate as men and women/boys and girls, and it needs to start very early.
btw, change of topic. I love Serena’s competitive spirit. Her all-or-nothing, leave it all on the court demeanor. Give me that instead of some polite little game where neither player breaks a sweat.
Of course, double standards apply. When Serena smashes a racket, it makes headlines. When others do (male or female), barely a peep in the media. When she wins begrudging coverage, when she loses, instant headlines! When Serena threatened linesjudge, well, we still hear about today. When Ferrer actually pushes one (which he did more than once – at the AO and USO) barely a peep or a penalty.
Like I said in a previous post, others get away with things while Serena get’s attacked. That’s why, even though I am not her biggest fan (and will criticize her as due) but I will probably always support her.
Nothing against her, but does anyone else find the suit on the cover ugly? The second look is much better on her body, but I’m not sure about the chain linked fence detail.
I think the first one is sort of unflattering,though I find her body strong and appealing. It hits her weird. Weirdly?
The second one looks uncomfortable, but fits her better.
I’m not sure the first one would be flattering on any frame. I just think maybe it’s a bad design, but what do I know?
Any swimsuit that showcases the “lovehandles” area is not one that will be flattering for the average person.
Red suit is heinous and would be on anybody IMO.
She completely lost me when she made those Steubenville comments. She’s an airhead. Good thing she’s good at tennis.
So true. Some people think because they are really good at something, I mean so good, they make fools of others in that area (Tennis), they think they are all-around superior to the masses, when in fact, they are actually quite niaive, dare I say, ignorant about the rest of the world and life in general. She should stick to tips on Tennis. We don’t care about her stance on deeper subjects.
I like them as players and think they mean well but the Jehovah’s witness thing really irks me. There’s a doc on Showtime this month about the sisters where it’s clear they basically parrot their father’s beliefs – women are here to serve their man, deference at all times – which makes them below men no matter how badly behaved (womanizing like their dad, abusive, rape, etc.)
As a former Jehovah’s Witness, I can say that her statements regarding the Steubenville rape victims probably stem from the way that she was raised. There are sooooooo many incidents in the literature (probably not from real events or cases) where they praise women who were potential rape victims, but chose to risk death rather than be raped because not “fighting hard enough” was equal to fornication and can result in disfellowshipping from the religion.
When elders find out about a woman in the congregation being raped, she is basically interrogated to be sure that she did everything she could to remain “pure”.
If someone wants to make a case against a fellow JW, they would discourage the victim from going to the police and would only engage in disciplinary action toward the attacker if there were 2 viable witnesses to the attack. Because you know, rapists and child molesters totally make sure that at least two other people are around to see it…
I am a really big tennis fan. So I am a fan of her strength and resilience and amazing tennis ability. However some of the stuff she spits out made me really like her less. I think she lacks some of the grace that her sister possesses. That being said this interview did not offend me in the least so that’s good
She embraces her large boobs and butt… I bet there are quite a few men out there (and probably a few women) who would like to embrace them too!
One of the sexiest things a woman can do is be comfortable in her own body. Serena is young and fit and can carry the curves she has. Some of her tennis outfits have not been particularly flattering or supportive over the years, but when she gets it right, her curves really rock.
body type aside, its attitude that i cannot stand. When she loses she’s always, always always got some stupid excuse for her bad game rather than complementing her opponent. In all her years I don’t think she said ‘my opponent played really well and forced me into errors’. Its always ‘i didnt feel good, i had a foot ache, blah blah blah. And heaven forbid if someone booes her for her play. She whips out the old race card awefully quick for that too.
Don’t forget the time she threatened to kill the lines person because of what she perceived a bad call.
jojo,
In recent years, have you actually read Serena’s post-match interviews in their entirety or are you referencing selectively edited excerpts from her interviews? I ask because quite often many of these statements can come off rather offensive because we are unaware of the context simply from not reading the entire interview. Granted, I won’t deny that in her early years Serena was less than generous in crediting her opponents but that is not true of the player she is now. Often excepts are posted the AP or other news wire services and then copied & pasted ad nauseum by hundreds of websites, context be damned.
That happened to me with Jelena Janovic where I read a edited statement from her and I came away with the impression that she was being very provocative and offensive. However, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. When I read the entire interview – and the previous lead up question, her response, a follow-up question and saw that this provocative “statement” was in response to that, I realized that the person who edited that interview was really being unfair to the athlete by not providing the context in which the statement was made.
I only mention all that because Serena gives her opponent credit but she also takes responsibility for her poor play. What you see as not giving credit, I see as her acknowledging that she did not play well and needs to improve. Well, she’s a self-described perfectionist (in tennis) so I expect nothing less.
Also, as far as the race card is concerned, well none of us have been on that journey with the WIlliams family so I do not think anyone can trivialize their shared experience. With the exception of a few high-profile siutations (ex. Indian Wells and a few other incidents here and there from years ago) I rarely hear Serena mention it. To what incident/excuse do you refer?
i’m glad she likes her body, there is nothing wrong with it.
still, will never forgive her for steubenville comments.
I wish Vanity Fair had used Serena instead of the butt selfie girl for their recent article. serena may be a difficult personality and probably shouldn’t comment on issues without a pr crafted statement, but her body and fitness is really admirable.
As I saw this I remembered her rape victim comments. I think she’s an extra Ordinary talent and brilliance but those comments made me love her less. It’s sad that there are so many that share her sentiments. Growing up it was drummed into my head to be careful at parties and not accept drinks from friends even, but none of that to the boys. Most importantly we should teach humans to be respectful and not to rape. Anyway I’m back to loving her now.
Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of her generation by far, and yet she doesn’t have nearly the same endorsements that other, blonder players have. That girl is fiercely competitve and has had to fight for every inch she’s gotten. Yeah, she’s abrasive as hell, but I’m all for seeing more women of different sizes, shapes and colors.
As a Sjogren’s sufferer, I really appreciate how Venus and Serena raise awareness of the disease. They’ve done such a good job that my dad even knew Venus has Sjogren’s — even though he’s so oblivious that he didn’t know I have it, too.
I feel better whenever I see her because I have the same body type.
Less muscle of course, lol.
Though her outfits leave a lot to be desired…
I don’t like Serena for a lot of things, but I love her body-positive attitude. Some people here are chiding her for being a “humblebrag,” well, if you have ever been on the receiving end of rude, tone-deaf remarks – or dirty looks (from women, yes) about your breast size, you know that is not what she is doing. She is simply saying, “I’m not going to be made to feel bad about how I was built. It is part of who I am and you may not like it, but I love it.”
To boot, if you ever read the comments section of a sports site – even one like Deadspin – and see the horrific remarks questioning her gender, comparing her physique to that of an animal – well, then you would appreciate what she is saying even more.
ITA The Countess.
Any site where moderation of the comments is lax or they promote that kind of thing – YouTube and Yahoo are other sites where posters call her animal names, claim she is a man, etc. The comments are allowed so I assume there is no issue from the sites. It’s rather hostile and juvenile.
hey, I can admit that she is polarising and that she did herself no favors with that Rolling Stone interview but nothing excuses the vile and venom spewed on some of these sites. Besides, this disgusting behavior was going on long before that. LONG BEFORE.
It’s sad, because Deadspin used to be so much better. But with every new comment section “upgrade” at Gawker, the good/witty/clever commenters have faded away and the Yahoo and ESPN trolls have taken their place.
Great athlete, but I can’t stand her. Her personality is sh!t and she comes off entirely fake and full of herself. She’s shown her true colors, and let’s not even get into her comments about the rape case..disgusting.
Her cover looks good though. I never considered her attractive but she actually looks pretty nice here.
If Serena was a man, nobody would talk about her attitude. In fact people would commend her for being as tough as she is. I love her, she demands nothing but excellence from herself and knows her talent and knows her worth. I love her body. People aren’t slick when they go around calling her a gorilla or a ape. If I was her and had all her accomplishments you better believe they are going to respect me.
Kw I so agree with you, I bet some of the people who can’t stand her might be huge fans of Mc Enroe. I had the pleasure of being in her company for a long period of time. She was wonderful to the staff and her fans. As far as not forgiving her for a comment. I hope those who can’t forgive, maybe one day you won’t be forgiven either..just saying.
Always wondered if it was natural or performance enhancing.
Her body is fine, fantastic, in fact. It’s the fact that she has absolutely no physical or social grace off the court (she walks like man in heels and exhibits no femininity or class).
She’s an amazing elite athlete, but I am not in any way interested in her opinions, since she comes off as angry, small-minded and egocentric in word and posture.
And I disagree with those who make the “if she were a man” argument. Self-important, verbally-bloated men are equally as offensive. It’s not her ‘toughness’, it’s her crassness and meanness that is at issue.