Serena Williams Covers New York Magazine, Talks Racism and Sexism

By Kenrya Rankin Aug 11, 2015

In this week’s edition of Serena Slays, the reigning queen of the sports world rules the latest issue of New York magazine. In the cover story, she talks a bit about the racism and sexism she has encountered over her unheard-of 16-year tennis career.

When asked about the indignities she has suffered while representing people of color in tennis, she said:

I don’t think about it. I don’t dwell in the past. If I do, I’ll be swallowed up by negativity. As Mandela once said, ‘I will be in a mental prison.’

On the sexism of a game that fined her $82,500 for trash talk that was in line with John McEnroe’s best insults, she said: 

I just think it was weird. I just really thought that was strange. You have people who made a career out of yelling at line judges. And a woman does it, and it’s like a big problem. But you know, hey.

Read the full interview here