Serena Williams and her sister, Venus Williams, burst onto the scene as teenagers-both being 14-year-old.
Breaking numerous glass ceilings over the years, the tennis legends share 44 Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles along with 5 Olympic gold medals.
However, this happened years ago, when technology was in the developing stage. But how would things have changed, had they made their debut today or in the recent era?
Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, shares a glimpse of what could have been the alternative reality!
Around two weeks ago, Ohanian sat together with an American sports journalist, Jemele Hill, to talk about women’s sports and business.
While narrating the scenario around the time when the Venus and Serena made their debut(1994 and 1995, respectively) in the circuit, talks turned to the greatness of the two sisters.
In an era when gentlemen’s tennis was favored over women’s tennis, the sisters turned the whole scene upside down with their “generational talent.” Ohanian said, “Serena and Venus were so great in a space that is so not used to them that folks can’t stop talking about them.”
Their explosive strength and gameplay had fans hooked on women’s tennis, even before they realized it. Why? Because “Americans love greatness.”
And the greatness introduced by Williams sisters led to “more Americans showing up to see the greatness of the women than the greatness of the men.” This further skyrocketed brands vying for the sisters, who were defining culture and certainly fashion.
While giving a shout-out to the OG, Billie Jean King, Ohanian added, “There was no internet to break in the same way. But if Serena and Venus would have come up in the age of Social Media, you better believe they would’ve broken the internet like weekly.”
Rightly so, the sisters were known for trying different styles both on and off the court. Even today, after the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s retirement, the sisters have collaborated with big brands and made several red-carpet appearances.
However, the Williams sisters set forth the catalyst that revolutionized women’s tennis in the United States.
Many good American players, such as Coco Gauff, Frances Tiafoe and others, came forward, following their examples, getting inspired by them, as they transverse on the path to becoming great.
However, it’s not just her legacy that has left a deep imprint. Her words at 2024 US Open lit the fire in Tiafoe on his way to quarterfinals.
When Frances Tiafoe opened up about Venus and Serena Williams impact in making a career in tennis
Serena Williams might have left the court, and Venus is on the verge, but their legacy had an everlasting effect on the incumbent generation and the upcoming one.
During his interaction with the USTA Foundation in August, Tiafoe opened up about how he decided to pursue a career in the racket sports. The American star gave credit to the two sisters, who made all the difference in the sports that were not dominated by people of color back then.
He said, “I mean, I’m watching Grand Slam finals and see the Williams sisters playing against each other, you know. I’m like, ‘Wow how crazy would that be you know to be playing Wimbledon, playing the US Open. I mean, for me, I kind of want to emulate that in my way. I don’t think I am where I am without those two (Williams sisters).”
Frances Tiafoe didn’t need any extra motivation as he stepped onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for his US Open R16 match against Alexei Popyrin, the man who ousted Novak Djoković, on September 2nd.
However, the American tennis star revealed that an unexpected pep talk from Serena Williams gave him an unprecedented boost of inspiration.
The sisters may have left the court (Venus Williams is yet to retire, but has been inactive), but they will still stay alive in the circuit through many such athletes.
Therefore, when the sisters broke all the barriers to rise to the top, certainly, they would have smashed the internet every week if not every day!
