Additional Coverage:
- Serena Williams expresses support for Caitlin Clark: ‘Continue doing what’s she doing’ (newsbreak.com)
Tennis legend Serena Williams empathizes with the pressures Caitlin Clark is navigating as a newcomer to the Indiana Fever and appreciates her effort to steer clear of social media distractions.
“People’s negativity stems from their inability to achieve what you’ve accomplished,” Williams, a winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, commented.
Williams shared these thoughts during her appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where “In the Arena: Serena Williams,” a documentary about her life, premiered. It is set to broadcast next month on ESPN+.
Reflecting on her early days in professional tennis, Williams admitted, “I faced bullying. The kind of challenges I encountered back then would lead to people being ostracized today.”
Clark is under the spotlight as the first overall selection in the WNBA draft, following a stellar collegiate career at Iowa.
Williams took a moment to endorse Clark via Twitter, stating, “If people are negative it’s because they can’t do what you do.”
This commendation by Williams comes amid the controversy surrounding Clark’s exclusion from the U.S. Olympic team, a decision that has disappointed many, including Clark herself, who noted last week that it was disheartening to see her name used for others’ agendas.
Williams, like Clark, chooses to ignore the noise on social media.
“I admire her commitment to staying true to herself,” Williams said about Clark. “It’s crucial she keeps pushing forward, regardless of others’ actions.”