Twenty-three Grand Slam titles. Four Olympic gold medals. Three hundred and nineteen weeks as world number one in singles. Serena Williams It can’t be reduced to a number, but it’s hard not to be amazed by the statistics.
From the moment She won her first title at the 1999 US Open.At just 17 years old, she dominated the tennis world and changed the game for black athletes. Today, at 42 and retired, Williams runs a venture capital firm which prioritizes women- and BIPOC-led businesses and recently launched her brand WYN Beauty — while juggling family life with her husband Alexis Ohanian And girls Olympia, 6 years old, and Adira, 8 months old.
Your victory at the 1999 US Open put you on the map. How did it feel to see yourself all over the world after that?
That win really catapulted me to the next level and catapulted me everywhere. It had been so long since an African-American had won a Grand Slam – it had been a long, long time. And I was the first to do it since Althea Gibson in the ’50s. It inspired a lot more incredible young black women to get into the sport. And it was fun.
What are you most proud of in your life and career so far?
I’m especially proud of the fact that I’ve been able to persevere. I think perseverance is something that’s not talked about very often. But I think that to persevere, through the negatives and the positives, and to continue to have a career that’s spanned over two decades, is pretty awesome. And I’m really lucky to have been able to do that.
What’s on your bucket list that you still want to accomplish?
I think that list never ends. Now, I really want to become that entrepreneur that I have been for 25 years. I’ve always been in that space, but I’m really focused on my businesses and growing not only my brand but different brands and working with different founders as a venture capitalist. But I think the very next thing on my list is just being a good mom.
In several of these articles, you mention your desire to become an actor. Is that still on your list?
Before, I really wanted to become an actress. I’m so busy now, and it’s good. I love my life. I haven’t stopped my acting career yet, although it’s already stopped, but I love what I’m doing right now.
What’s it like, having all these businesses and projects you’re working on, now with two daughters at home?
It’s really hectic having two brands and then having all the brands. I’m starting to sweat a little bit more because now Adira recognizes me and she wants to come up to me, and honestly, it’s so cute and adorable. But then, my other daughter Olympia, she’s six and she still wants so much attention. … But I love it. I’ve always loved a challenge, I’ve never shied away from the hard work. It’s also fun to show your daughter how you create products and be like, “What do you think of this? Do you like that name?” And then literally have her be like, “I like this name better than that.” It’s really cool to really conceptualize together.
Are there any stories or memories from your career that you have started telling your daughters?
Yeah, Olympia is at an age now where she’s like, “Listen, I wonder why you’re so famous?” She said, “You’re a great tennis player.” And so I told her the other day that Actually, she was in my belly When I won a big tournament (the 2017 Australian Open) and she was surprised, she is at an age where I can open up to her a little more.
