Though Serena Williams is not competing in Tokyo, she is calling for greater support of young female athletes, emphasizing that the next generation of women in sports should be uplifted from the moment they show up.
Serena Williams on Championing Young Women in Sports, and the Importance of Balance
Anyone who has watched the Olympics over the past couple weeks will have no doubt reflected on the intensity of professional athleticism. Whether the sport is canoeing or beach volleyball, the Games are a showcase of determination and drive. Increasingly, though, an important conversation is taking place around the mental health challenges that come with such high stakes, led by athletes like Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, and Serena Williams.
Though Williams is not competing in Tokyo, she’s serving as an ambassador for Secret’s “Just #WatchMe,” campaign, calling for greater support of young female athletes, emphasizing that the next generation of women in sports shouldn’t have to break through glass ceilings for recognition, they should be uplifted from the moment they show up.
Within the campaign, Secret reveals that girls are twice as likely to drop out of sports compared to boys. It has also been reported that some colleges aren’t even using a quarter of their budgets for female sports. In addition to serving as a role model for girls around the world, Williams has spent time advocating for both gender and racial equality in sport. “It’s really important to show up and to be there for young girls. Our athletes shouldn’t have to feel like they aren’t being supported,” says Williams over our afternoon call. With four Olympic gold medals to her name, Williams is quick to underline the importance of self-care in the face of the high pressure that comes with being a consistent champion. “We should always be making space for [wellness], it should be something that is so automatic that we don’t even have to think about it,” explains Williams. “Having a balanced view of everything is super key.”
As for how she pursues that balance herself? One answer is karaoke: the athlete has a known appreciation for belting out ’90s rock songs—her Florida home even has a karaoke room where a neon sign on the wall reads “Serénade.” “Having different interests [is] important,” she says. “You just don't want to go overboard because you can burn out.”
Ultimately, Williams’s advice to girls getting started in their athletic career is simple: “Enjoy what you do! It should be fun. It shouldn't only be a job.” And when the joy feels few and far between, maybe it’s time to take a break.
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Cassandra Pintro
