Serena Williams Research Paper

Words: 1576
Pages: 7

23 grand slam singles titles, 33 grand slam singles finals, 47 career hardcore titles, 73 singles titles. Arguably the best women’s tennis player in the world. All of these are feats accomplished by the one and only, Serena Williams. However, the most difficult task of all was having to do so under the constant scrutiny of the public eye, while being Black in a White-dominated field. Yet, she was not the first to go through this. The first-ever Black woman to play tennis was Althea Gibson. She was at one point, very similar to Serena, considered to be the best in her field. Being the first of her time, her experience was undoubtedly difficult and simultaneously trailblazing. So, why isn’t this essay about her? What makes Serena so special? What could she have possibly done that Althea Gibson didn’t? …show more content…
This is seen when she tells NPR in an interview, “Growing up, I never thought I was different," she said, "because the number one player in the world was somebody who looked like me." Without someone there to open the eyes of young Gauff, she might have never had the confidence to enter the sport herself. Serena is one of the most prevalent examples of being a Black woman in professional sports is an impressive feat within itself. Lori Martin continues to explore, in her article, the idea that Black women face discrimination and hatred from the public for simply existing in their profession. She continues to talk about the categorization of great Black athletes, like Serena Williams. Essentially she says that Serena is not just a mother and a Black figure in sports, but she is someone powerful, who uses her voice for change. “Williams is also a great example of a long legacy of black athletes, including many black women athletes who refuse to be silent and are willing to pay the costs to bequeath to the next generation a more equitable sport and a more equitable society than the one she inherited.”