Serena Williams to write ‘intimate’ memoir as part of two-book deal

Associated PressOctober 18, 2023 09:30 AM ET2 min read

NEW YORK — Now that Serena Williams, like so many others, has exited the sport she dominated, she’s ready to reflect.

The tennis superstar has signed a two-book deal with Random House Publishing Group, starting with an “intimate” memoir in which she will tell all about her childhood and early tennis training in the 2021 film ” It was dramatized in King Richard. Her extraordinary career and the ups and downs she experienced along the way. The book has not yet been titled and does not have a release date.

“For too long, I was solely focused on winning and never sat back and reflected on my life and career,” Williams said in a statement Wednesday. “Over the past year, I have really enjoyed spending time with myself. Time to celebrate my accomplishments with my growing family and explore my other passions. I am in a more perfect place to take on such a personal and intimate project, and I would rather work with anyone than the team at Random House People do this together.”

The second book, also untitled, will be an “inspiring” work, according to Random House, which announced that “Williams will draw on her experience as a philanthropist and advocate as well as her work on Serena Ventures The investment firm offers life rules as a career investment unicorn, and one who has long been committed to promoting a diverse and emerging generation of young women whose aspirations are not limited to the palace.”

Williams, 42, who famously eschewed the word when she announced her retirement shortly before the 2022 U.S. Open, said she was “evolving” away from professional tennis. She hasn’t competed since that match, which included a second-round win over No. 2 Arnett Kontaveit before losing to Aguila Tomliano in the third round Vicky.

Williams left the sport with 23 singles Grand Slam titles, 14 doubles Grand Slam titles with sister Venus, more than 300 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and four Olympic gold medals. . She is also widely cited for breaking down racial barriers in tennis and racial and gender barriers in athletics and other sports.

In an article published in Vogue last year, she wrote that she hoped that because of her success, “female athletes feel they can be themselves on the court. They can be aggressive and pump their fists. They can be strong and strong. Beauty. They “can wear what they want, say what they want, and be proud of it all. “

Her previous books include the 2009 memoir “On the Line” and last year’s graphic story “The Adventures of Qai Qai.”

Her new memoir will be “an open-ended exploration of the experiences that shaped her life,” Random House announced in a press release Wednesday. Williams will share her thoughts on: Overcoming scrutiny and attacks in a predominantly white and male sport, suffering devastating losses on and off the field, and falling in love with tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohani Ann, celebrates body diversity and expands the scope of athletic styles and pop culture, raises awareness of maternal health disparities, and is a devoted mother to daughters Olympia and Adira.”