5 occasions when Serena Williams was openly criticized by her fellow players ft. Maria Sharapova & Sloane Stephens
Serena Williams has cemented her name as one of the best athletes across all sports with her numerous achievements. The winner of 23 Major singles titles dominated her opponents for more than two decades before finally calling it a time on her career in 2022.
As is the case with any sport, Williams had quite a few close rivalries during her playing days, which sometimes took a personal turn too. The American was on good terms with most of her fellow colleagues and was feared and revered in equal measure.
However, Williams' behavior did rub some of her opponents the wrong way at times. On that note, here's a look into five occurrences when she was criticized by her fellow players:
#5 - "They always have a big mouth" - Martina Hingis about the Williams family
Hingis accomplished a lot at a very young age. She was the reigning World No. 1 when Venus and Serena Williams burst onto the scene. The sisters were catching up to her and started to beat her in key matches as well.
Their father and coach, Richard Williams, was their biggest cheerleader and hyped them up a lot. The sisters too, weren't shy when it came to talking themselves up. During the 1999 US Open, he predicted that his daughters would fight for the crown.
Hingis didn't take too kindly to his comment and stated that despite their grandstanding, it was she who stood at the top.
"They always have a big mouth. He always has his comments. You know, it's fun. Because I'm better than them so far. I'm the No. 1, not them" - Martina Hingis on Richard Williams' comments
The war of words was eventually settled, but not before Serena Williams hitting back with her own retort.
"She just speaks her mind. I guess it has a little bit to do with not having a formal education. But you just have to think more, use your brain a little more in the tennis world." - Serena Williams on Martina Hingis
#4 - "As a person, she always had this arrogance" - Sorana Cirstea on Serena Williams' apparent dig at Simona Halep
Halep was suspended following the 2022 US Open after she tested positive for an illegal substance. The ban was upheld earlier this year, with the tennis fraternity being divided on the outcome.
Williams took to social media to shade Halep, who had defeated her in the final of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. The loss denied the American her eighth crown at the All England Club.
"8 is a better number" - Williams wrote on social media
Cirstea rushed to her compatriot's defense and felt Williams' jibe was unnecessary. The Romanian conceded that while the former World No. 1 was a great athlete, but was equally arrogant as well.
"Serena as a player was extraordinarily good, but as a person, she always had this arrogance. She didn't accept when someone could beat her or when someone took a title from her" - Sorana Cirstea on Serena Williams
Halep, meanwhile, has proclaimed her innocence amidst the scandal and will contest the ban.
#3 - "Did he have to behave differently only because she was Serena Williams?" - Barbora Strycova on the American's antics during the 2018 US Open final
Naomi Osaka was the 2018 US Open winner by beating Williams in the final. However, her victory was overshadowed by the former World No. 1's spat with chair umpire Carlos Ramos.
Williams received a warning and was docked a point by Ramos during the match, which caused her to label him as a "thief". Her tirade against the umpire even resulted in a game penalty. The tournament officials got involved and the American labeled Ramos' actions as sexist.
Strycova wasn't too amused about the proceedings and when asked about her opinion, felt that Williams' actions were over the top.
"Ramos is tough, one of the best umpires in the world. He did what he had to do in that match, because she overstepped the limit. Did he have to behave differently only because she was Serena Williams? I find it interesting that she did it only when she was losing." - Barbora Strycova about the 2018 US Open final
#2 - "They think she's so friendly and she's so this and she's so that, no that's not reality!" - Sloane Stephens was upset by Serena Williams' behavior
Stephens' star was on the rise back in 2013. When she crossed paths with Williams in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open that year, she snapped her fellow American's 20-match losing streak.
Stephens later stated that Williams didn't interact with her in any manner, either in person or online, following her victory. She felt this didn't align with her public persona, which left her feeling confused and upset.
"She’s not said one word to me, not spoken to me, not said hi, not looked my way, not been in the same room with me since I played her in Australia. And that should tell everyone something, how she went from saying all these nice things about me to unfollowing me on Twitter,"
"Like, seriously! People should know. They think she’s so friendly and she’s so this and she’s so that — no, that’s not reality! You don’t unfollow someone on Twitter, delete them off of BlackBerry Messenger. I mean, what for? Why?" - Sloane Stephens on Serena Williams
While the feud lasted for a while, the two resolved it eventually and remain on good terms even now.
#1 - "Maybe she should talk about her relationship and her boyfriend that was married and is getting a divorce and has kids" - Maria Sharapova on Serena Williams' alleged dig at her love life
The Sharapova-Williams rivalry was competitive and fierce on the court, despite the one-sided nature of it based on the final outcome. But there was no love lost between the two off the court as well, with the duo trading barbs with each other from time to time.
Back in 2013, part of Williams's phone conversation with her sister Venus was made public. She was quoted as saying:
"She begins every interview with 'I'm so happy. I'm so lucky' – it's so boring. She's still not going to be invited to the cool parties. And, hey, if she wants to be with the guy with a black heart, go for it." - Williams speaking about an unnamed player
Sharapova was going out Grigor Dimitrov at the time and felt that the comment was directed towards her. When she was asked about her thoughts on the matter, the Russian didn't hold back.
"Obviously I have a tremendous amount of respect for Serena and what she's achieved on the court. You can never take anything away from that. As for myself, or whether it was about somebody else, nothing personal, you know."
"If she wants to talk about something personal, maybe she should talk about her relationship and her boyfriend that was married and is getting a divorce and has kids. Talk about other things, but [don't] draw attention to other things. She has so much in her life, many positives, and I think that's what it should be about." - Maria Sharapova on Serena Williams
Sharapova's comments referred to Patrick Mouratoglou, who was Williams' coach as well her rumored boyfriend at the time. He was also in the midst of divorcing his wife.
Williams later clarified that the she wasn't referring to Sharapova when she made those comments and apologized to her later on.