During a February 2022 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Venus and Serena Williams reflected on their careers and what it means to be a global superstar. Buzz has swirled around Serena in particular about what she’ll do next, as the tennis legend is poised to retire. When questioned about the kind of legacy she wishes to leave behind, Serena admitted, “That’s something I don’t think about nor do I want. I don’t want to think about what I’m leaving. I just think about who I am every single day behind closed doors and behind cameras. And that’s what I focus on.” Venus added, “I’m so inspired by other changemakers too. I absolutely love design. I love mentoring. I love passing on what I know.”
The star athletes have dedicated their off-court time to paying it forward, including working towards ending gender disparity in tennis prizes. When it comes to their lives after tennis, Venus joked they may “become body builders,” since anything is possible. But both women are looking forward to a life away from the spotlight. “From such a young age, all we’ve done is work. So, I think for Serena and I to explore that freedom is surreal. We’ve never been free,” Venus said. The Williams sisters have fought hard for their place in the industry, particularly as Black women. Evidently, the next step for these two immensely talented ladies will honor what they’ve built by finally giving them the opportunity to step back.
