Twelve-time Grand Slam winner Billie Jean King believes Serena Williams will help women of color enter the tennis world.
In celebration of Black History Month, King recently expressed confidence that Williams’ future endeavors will be beneficial to tennis players eager to make an impact on the court.
Last September, Williams hung up her racquet at the U.S. Open. She lost to Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1 in the third round at Flushing Meadows, ending her illustrious career .
Williams turned professional in 1995, when she was only 14 years old. She won a total of 23 Grand Slam titles, the first of which came at the 1999 U.S. Open. Her major singles titles include seven Australian Opens, three French Opens, seven Wimbledon and six U.S. Open titles.
The former world number one also won 14 Grand Slam double titles with sister Venus Williams. Billie Jean King recently spoke about her compatriot’s tennis journey, saying:
“This was just the first half of her life because tennis did so much for her and her generation. She made $100 million on the court and millions off the court, so she was great for us , but we are also great for her.” (via Sky Sports)
King claims that due to Serena Williams’ financial success in tennis, she will be able to financially help emerging female athletes of color.
“The second half is going to be even better because of what she does on the court. I think she’s going to help girls of color and girls of color and women and women of color. She’s going to be great. She helps. Our sport, so very much,” King said.
Serena Williams has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2011
Serena Williams was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF in 2011. She plays a role in building credibility, raising awareness and supporting global institutions by building connections and lobbying key audiences to maximize resources for children.
Serena supports the UNICEF Africa Schools program, which provides education to underprivileged children on the continent. She also called for cost-effective, first-class health care for all mothers and babies through the Every Child Alive initiative.
Her first contribution to a UNICEF charity was in November 2006, when she visited Ghana. She traveled to Nongwa-Zongo, a poor town in Greater Accra, to examine the country’s largest children’s health campaign.