This weekend in Wimbledon, Serena Williams was defeated by Romanian Simona Halep.
And although the result of one of the world’s biggest tennis tournaments is newsworthy enough in its own right, it’s actually not Williams’ loss that’s making headlines.
Instead, it’s her post-match press conference.
As Refinery29 reports, during the event, a journalist asked Williams to respond to Billie Jean King’s suggestion that she “stop being a celebrity for a year and stop fighting for equality, and just focus on the tennis”.
The tennis legend’s reply was brief and clear:
“The day I stop fighting for equality…will be the day I’m in my grave.”
Unsurprisingly, the quote was circulated around the world in no time. I’m half expecting to see it in t-shirt from by tomorrow (low-key would wear).
King, herself an advocate of gender equality, was speaking with The Metro UK when she suggested Williams put everything that isn’t tennis aside.
“She’s got business, a baby, she’s trying to help gender equity, particularly for women of colour, she’s actually on the Billie Jean King leadership initiative, she and Venus are both advisors for it,” she said.
“[It makes winning a Slam] much harder. I would like to see her put everything else aside from that. She’s got people working on these things.”
King then went on to state that “this is just a wish I have”, before adding that “if she’s [Williams] happy doing it this way it’s fine. It’s not about us”.
There are a few things that are worth pointing out here.
Firstly, Williams’ experience as a professional tennis player is inextricably linked with her activism. She’s written and spoken about how being a woman, and a woman of colour has impacted the game for her.
Her commitment to tennis, and playing a fair game, is part of her fight.
Additionally, if ever there’s a time to speak up, it’s surely when you have the attention of the masses, no? Williams is using her status while it’s at its peak to instil change. It makes perfect sense. Besides, she’s been an advocate for equality in the sport (and society as a whole) for years – why would she stop now?
King has responded to criticism stating that would never ask Williams to stop fighting:
And we’re glad to hear it because while we love seeing Williams on the court, she’s equally as fierce when she’s advocating for what she believes in.
“I’ve been called every name in the book. I’ve been shamed because of my body shape. I’ve been paid unequally because of my sex. I’ve been penalized a game in the final of a major because I expressed my opinion or grunted too loudly. I’ve been blatantly cheated against to the point where the Hawk-Eye rules were introduced so that something like that would not happen again. And these are only the things that are seen by the public. In short, it’s never been easy. But then I think of the next girl who is going to come along who looks like me, and I hope, ‘Maybe, just maybe, my voice will help her.’”
Serena Williams for Harper’s Bazaar