Serena Williams is finishing her post-tennis chapter.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion spoke about rediscovering her identity after retiring from tennis after a 27-year professional career, and how she has balanced this new endeavor with being a mother to her husband Alexis Ohanian’s daughters Olympia, 8, and Adira, 2.
“I want more clarity and confidence in myself that I made the right decision and that I don’t necessarily have to live only for my children. I’m discovering myself again,” Serena told Porter in an interview published on December 1.
Part of that journey includes her relationship with her body, for which she has received criticism from the public since she was a teenager.
“It definitely affects me mentally,” mused the 44-year-old. “You’re right. All your life you thought you were big, and you (look back) and think, ‘I was healthy.'” Yes, I had big muscles. I didn’t look like the other girls, but not everyone looks the same. ”
“When I was playing for the first 15 years, it was tough because my body was different,” Serena continued. “I had big breasts and a big butt. All the athletes were super flat, super thin, and beautiful, but in different ways.”
