Serena Williams Recalls How Criticism Due to ‘Large’ Physique Affected Her Mentally: “I Had Big B***s, I Had Big B**t”

Serena Williams called time on her career after losing her third-round match at the 2022 US Open.

Serena Williams Recalls How Criticism Due to ‘Large’ Physique Affected Her Mentally: “I Had Big B***s, I Had Big B**t”

Serena Williams (Image via X/We Are Tennis France)

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Serena Williams recently recalled how her ‘large’ physique and comparison to other players’ bodies led to mental turmoil earlier in her career. But Williams learned her lesson eventually, understanding that everyone doesn’t look the same way.

Williams turned pro in 1995 and hung up her racket at the 2022 US Open. In her storied career, the 44-year-old added 23 singles Grand Slam, 14 doubles, and two mixed doubles titles to her trophy cabinet, finishing her career with a total of 73 singles titles- the fifth most in the Open Era. But despite her on-court achievements, criticism also became a part of her life, one of the reasons being her physique.

It was hard because when I was playing in the beginning – the first 15 years – my body was different. I had big b***s; I had a big b**t. Every athlete was like super flat, super thin, and beautiful, but in a different way. And I didn’t understand as an athlete how to deal with that.

Serena Williams told Net-a-Porter

Things changed when she won her first US Open title at the age of 17. She decided that she would never read anything about her, and this gave her peace of mind.

It does affect you mentally. Absolutely. You think you’re large for your whole life, and you look [back] and you’re like, I was fit. Yeah, I had big muscles. I didn’t look like these other girls, but not everyone looks the same.

Serena Williams added

Because of her physique, Williams made headlines a few months ago. She revealed that despite a healthy diet and exercise, she was struggling to manage her weight and ended up taking GLP-1 drug Zepbound, which is typically used for diabetes but also helps in weight-loss management.

Lorenzo Musetti cites Serena Williams’ example to explain the difficulties female tennis players go through after pregnancy

For the sportswomen, one of the most difficult decisions in their lives involves pregnancy because they are well aware of the changes a female body goes through post motherhood, so comebacks become quite tricky for them. Naomi Osaka is very open about the difficulties of playing after giving birth to her daughter, Shai.

Serena Williams
Serena Williams (Image via X/ESPN Tenis)

Lorenzo Musetti recently became a father for the second time. But the Italian dealt with doubts and emotional turmoil because of the unexpected birth of his first son. Although he is nothing but grateful after becoming a father, he understands the challenges of juggling parenthood and career.

During his interview with La Repubblica, the 23-year-old was told how sportsmen often celebrate fatherhood by re-enacting certain gestures, but female players don’t do it. Musetti cited Serena Williams‘ example to explain why, for sportswomen, motherhood brings a whole lot of challenges.

But an athlete who has given birth feels differently; her body has gone through many changes. It’s a difficult choice for them; almost all of them postpone pregnancy until the end of their careers, like Flavia Pennetta and Federica Pellegrini. Even Serena Williams, who used to dominate, hasn’t managed to win a Grand Slam since becoming a mother.

Lorenzo Musetti said

Williams last won a Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open. And while she never won a Major post-motherhood, she was pregnant with daughter Olympia when she won her historic 23rd Major in Melbourne. After that win, the former World No.1 made it to four more Grand Slam finals, losing all.

Musetti has never played a Grand Slam final. He has made it to the semifinals twice (at the 2024 Wimbledon and this year’s French Open). He reached three finals this season, losing all (in Monte Carlo, Ningbo, and Athens).

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Gives His Thoughts on Why Beating Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is Difficult