"You can’t say that her path was equal to her peers" - Award-winning director hails Serena Williams for breaking through 'legacy of racism' in tennis
Serena Williams' achievements should be regarded as bigger than that of her peers due to the enormous "legacy of racism" she had to overcome, believes award-winning director Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Prince-Bythewood recently spoke to The Rolling Stones about how Serena Williams inspired her, both as a Black woman and as a filmmaker. She has notably earned a nomination for Best Director at the 2023 British Academy Film Awards for her hit film 'The Woman King.'
The American opined that Williams has never had a "level playing field," seeing as she also had to overcome the racism exhibited by the tennis world as a whole at the time.
"No one can deny what Serena Williams has been through. You can’t say that her path was easy, or even that it was equal to her peers. She had to break through the legacy of racism in her sport," she said. "She never had a level playing field, so you can’t deny it when you see her excel."
While others could just focus on training and their tennis, Prince-Bythewood pointed out that the 23-time Grand Slam champion also had to deal with the "weight of the world," making her achievements all that more staggering.
"What’s so pervasive about racism is that Serena Williams never got to just be a tennis player. She had to train, and work out, and be a great tennis player all while dealing with microaggressions and the weight of the world looking at her," she said.
"I wish I could say it’s inspiring; that part is heartbreaking. But it's something to be applauded and championed."
Furthermore, the director stated that she is a big fan of the former World No. 1's mental toughness. Prince-Bythewood added that she tried to walk on her film sets with the same confidence that Williams exhibited on the tennis courts.
"As a Black woman, I’m especially in awe of Serena’s mental toughness. The constant fight takes a mental toll. And what’s happened with Serena is what strong, powerful Black women go through in every single industry," she said.
"There’s so much we have to overcome, and we’re still never allowed to acknowledge when we’re great. So I walk on set the way she used to walk on the court — in full belief in my abilities."
Over the years, Serena Williams and her sister Venus have been subjected to racist remarks multiple times, both from fans in the crowd and sometimes from fellow players.
Most famously, the Williams sisters refused to play at the Indian Wells Open for more than a decade after being subjected to untoward treatment by the spectators.
"Even when her back is against the wall, I have seen her pull something from deep within herself countless times" - Gina Prince-Bythewood on Serena Williams
Gina Prince-Bythewood also revealed that Serena Williams represented "so much" for her, especially because of her swagger. She recalled how Williams never backed down when she was slammed for declaring that she wanted to be World No. 1.
Prince-Bythewood admitted that Williams' confidence made her more appealing.
"I’m someone who is enamored by greatness, so Serena Williams represents so much for me. I was an athlete growing up, and Serena’s mentality absolutely influenced me as a director," she said.
"She has so much swagger and confidence — like when she was slammed for saying she wanted to be No. 1 in the world and refused to back down."
Every time her back was against the wall, the director marveled at how Williams managed to come through with the win. She added that she was inspired every time she watched the 23-time Grand Slam champion play.
"Even when her back is against the wall, I have seen her pull something from deep within herself countless times and come through with the win," she said. "Every time I watch her play, every time I think about her story, it inspires me as Black woman and as a filmmaker."