Commentary on the body image controversy surrounding Serena Williams and women’s tennis players and athletes. On Twitter one Serena adversary tweeted, “the main reason for her success is that she is built like a man.”
While Serena Williams was solidifying herself as the G.O.A.T. of women’s tennis and, arguably, the greatest female athlete in any sport, there was endless chatter and scrutiny across various media platforms about her physique.
Serena Williams body controversy
The discussion centered on why her body doesn’t fit into society’s idea of femininity and beauty; on why she isn’t skinny and white and blonde a la Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki or Eugenie Bouchard.
On Twitter one Serena adversary tweeted, “the main reason for her success is that she is built like a man.” That prompted Harry Potter series British author J.K. Rowling to respond.
J.K. Rowling is a huge Serena Williams fan, watched her Wimbledon win, and took down a Serena hater on Twitter.
Serena Williams nipple popped out
One of her biggest fans is author J.K. Rowling, of Harry Potter fame, who took a break from copy edits to tweet throughout the championship match.
Over the course of the match, she became a fan of Muguruza as well, but it’s clear Serena has Rowling’s heart. And after a hater emerged on Twitter with an unoriginal and unnecessary comment about Williams’ physique, Rowling tossed him the ol’ Expelliarmus in the form of a pretty well thought-out response.
Rowling also took the time to admit that her years of writing books have…limited her tennis skills a bit.
The controversy over body image is nothing new in the Williams household. Ever since Serena and older sister Venus burst onto the tennis scene in the late 90s, they have been condemned for both their muscular physiques and crushing physicality on court.
Most recently, Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev referred to Venus and Serena as “The Williams Brothers” during an appearance on a Russian TV show—he was promptly fined the maximum amount of $25,000 and suspended from any WTA-related activities for one year afterwards.
Through all of the criticism and body shaming, both Venus and Serena have managed to look the other way. Although Serena has commented about insecurities with her muscular body in the past, she maintains that her physique is genetic and that her workouts are not centered on weight training.
“I’ve never loved working out,” she said after the Wimbledon final. “When I first started [playing tennis], I would always ride the bike or work on my legs. Then I started doing more running. Then I started doing more sprint work, but nothing major, never weights.”
Serena Williams body controversy
While many deplored the commentary and defended Serena on social media, the World No. 1 dazzled at Sunday’s Wimbledon Champions’ Dinner, celebrating her 21st Grand Slam trophy in a form fitting, pink dress.
“Swerve,” she wrote in an Instagram post of the floor-length gown, which featured pearl and rhinestone embellishments, a mesh bodice and a silk train. How Ya Like Me Now?
