Serena Williams Calls Out Blatant Injustice During Playing Days in an Emotional Revelation to Alex Rodriguez

The “Serena Effect” is a worldwide phenomenon. Serena Williams’ mere presence on-court is synonymous with confidence, resilience, and strength. Along with her unparalleled achievements, tennis world has witnessed her being under the spotlight for over two decades. But how does it affect Serena Williams herself? In a statement that highlights the intense pressure that she has gone through in her career, she explained in an interview with Alex Rodriguez why “losing is way bigger news than winning” in the tennis world.

The former World No. 1 who ruled the ATP ranking for 319 weeks is the only player to achieve a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. However, what comes along with such accomplishments is constant pressure to perform better. And it hit the now-42-year-old player during her career as well. Recently, when in an interview, she was asked about the “Serena Effect” and the pressure that comes with it, her response resonated with her fans worldwide.

“If I won a match, it’s almost the last page. But if it’s, if I lose, it’s like front center,” Serena said. Williams acknowledged how fame can be a double-edged sword that can sometimes become overwhelming. And she knew that “losing is way bigger news than winning. ”

Therefore, she explained how staying humble is the key. Williams gave an example of this by citing the U.S. Open matches, where she has won six times in her career. But she admitted that even after having so much success there, she accepts how the U.S. Open will continue with or without her.

But at the same time, she accepted that the “amplified” amount of pressure that she had to encounter during her career was “not easy.” This is because she admitted that being at the front page of papers also makes one a “target”. But Serena Williams is not the one to give up under intense pressure. Like Billie Jean King once said, “Pressure is a privilege,” Williams also thinks likewise.

So she added, “Having a lot of that pressure is definitely not fun, but it’s also a privilege.” However, this is not the first time that she has addressed how she felt intense “pressure” to perform better in her career. Few years ago, Williams shared her valuable insights on the subject.

Serena Williams reflects on how she handled the “pressure” on-court

When Serena Williams was set to play against her sister Venus Williams in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in 2018, she knew the pressure she was under. However, Williams reflected how playing against your “best friend” on-court was not easy. And when asked about how she was handling the pressure, her response was clear.

“There is always a goal. It is not about setting goals to beat; it’s just about, for me, doing something that I completely love. That is what keeps me motivated.” She further added, “Pressure is never easy. But I have learnt that it is a privilege, and I would much rather have the pressure that comes along with the privilege than not have any pressure at all.”

And six years later, she still stands on her words. Although she has stepped away from tennis, her reflections on her career still remain a source of inspiration for all the athletes out there.