Serena Williams will once again grace the ESPY Awards ceremony, but this time in a different avatar. After winning the prestigious accolade 12 times in the past, the American tennis icon will be back as a host at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Interestingly, the ‘Queen of the Court’ will be returning to the ESPY almost two decades after a hilarious act that Jamie Foxx performed for her.


Back in 2003, Jamie Foxx hosted the ESPY Awards at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre, where he couldn’t hold himself back from “serenading” one of the greatest tennis players on stage.

The American actor hilariously sang the “I wanna be your tennis ball” song for Serena Willaims, who was there at the ceremony to collect the “Best Female Tennis Player of the Year” award. Since then, Foxx’s energetic performance has been hailed by many fans on social media.

While sharing a video clip of the Hollywood star’s “serenading” act on Twitter, a user said, “Jamie Foxx as a vocalist – a thread of my favorite moments. Jamie Foxx serenades Serena Williams by singing an original song titled “Tennis Ball” at the ESPY Awards.” 

Now, 21 years after this act, the former tennis ace will return to the ESPY Awards ceremony, and here’s what she has to say about hosting the prestigious event.

“I couldn’t be more excited to host”- Serena Williams on her return to the famed Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

The American tennis legend, who has pulled off numerous records on the court, has now accomplished another feat, albeit off the court.

As she will be hosting the ESPYs in July, the 23-time singles Grand Slam champion will be the fourth woman in history to host the esteemed awards show.

Speaking about her return to the Dolby Theatre as a host, Serena Williams recently expressed her excitement to celebrate some great achievements.

“I couldn’t be more excited to host the ESPYs. This is a dream come true for me, and something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. It has been a sensational year for sports and an unprecedented one for female athletes. I can’t wait to celebrate everyone on-stage in July,” the former tennis ace said in a statement.

Williams’s appearance will undoubtedly add a new layer of excitement to the event, which will honor various athletes and their remarkable achievements. What do you think of the American tennis icon’s return to the ESPYs as a host? Let us know in the comments section.