Serena Williams is retiring: Let’s Look at her impact on sports, on and off the tennis court
On August 9, 2022 Serena Williams announced her retirement from tennis. With 23 grand slams under her belt, she has much to be proud of. Arguably, her openness in speaking out against healthcare disparities as a black woman, closing the gap in equal pay for female athletes, and her experience dealing with racist backlash in her career is even more monumental.
Reflecting on this titan’s career raises the question of how society reinforces the double standards that female athletes face. The harsh reality is that sexism in the sports industry remains, on and off the court. Without bringing awareness to it, we can’t combat it.
Here are four times Serena Williams' tennis career reflected broader issues in the sporting world.
1.When she called out unfair penalties for being a double standard
During the 2018 US Open in a game against Naomi Osaka, Williams faced backlash when she called an umpire a ‘thief’ during a game and received a hefty penalty. Billie Jean King said it best: "When a woman is emotional, she's "hysterical" and she's penalized for it. When a man does the same, he's "outspoken" and there are no repercussions. Thank you, Serena Williams, for calling out this double standard. More voices are needed to do the same."
Williams' reaction to the umpire led to a wave of online abuse, which leads us to the second example in her career…
2. When the media made racist comments debating her femininity
Williams’ case of online abuse largely stems from racist and sexist stereotypes, and is a prime example of the unnecessary hate that female athletes experience. Criticisms on her body type being considered ‘too manly’, her unwavering devotion to her craft, and her stand-out reactions on the court have made her susceptible to the unfair allegations. You’ll notice when you scroll through the comments of Serena’s Instagram page that commenters seldom talk about her performance as an athlete, but rather her looks.
This phenomenon of online abuse is affecting other female athletes as well. In April of 2021, Rinsola Babajide opened up about the sexist and racist abuse she faced on her social media. The hate was so severe that the Merseyside Police recommended an investigation; however, Babajide chose not to take further action. There is overwhelming evidence that the online community is not safe for women, and unfortunately, it’s something that’s been normalized.
3. When she brought to light the lack of equality in sports
“These sports have a lot of work to do. And I really hope that I can be helpful in that journey because I do believe that women deserve the same pay. We work just as hard as men do. I’ve been working, playing tennis since I was three years old. And to be paid less just because of my sex—it doesn’t seem fair.”
Equal pay is one of many examples of inequality between male and female athletes, which also include the underrepresentation of female sports teams in the media, and regulations surrounding athlete attire. Regulations surrounding uniforms are different for men. Many argue that these rules display blatant sexism, defining femininity in sports and requiring female athletes to appeal to their audience. It wasn’t until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics that female athletes were finally allowed to wear uniforms differing from dresses and skirts.
Recently, uniforms have come under scrutiny due to their lack of diversity and acceptance for tools that aid BIPOC athletes in their craft. Swimming caps designed for natural black hair were banned in the Olympics, discouraging members of the black community from participating in aquatic sports. By sustaining sexist regulations, the institution of sport aids in perpetuating sexist stereotypes that fuel online abuse for women. Equaling the playing field means breaking down boundaries beyond equal pay.
4. When she talked about the unfair standard of having to choose between having a family vs a career.
In Williams’ retirement announcement, she noted an important difference in the way we approach women's careers versus mens careers. “Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.” This expectation, that women can only be successful mothers or be successful in their career is displayed in every field. However, in sports it often becomes the end of their career. Across the world, women are expected to be the matriarch of their family, to make the ultimate sacrifice and find fulfillment in domestic chores. However, this choice has always been a double-edged sword. Women that make the sacrifice are looked down on, but women that refuse to make the sacrifice are seen as selfish, and have their parenting skills questioned.
The never-ending, unrealistic, and burdensome gender roles that are reserved for women are shown in the way the media views Serena Williams, and many other female athletes. A study published by World Athletics in 2021 revealed that 87% of online abuse during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics targeted women. And 63% of all identified abuse was directed at two black female athletes. This is proof that online abuse disproportionately affects female athletes, affecting their mental health and performance.
Serena Williams aided in leveling the playing field, but monitoring, detecting, and acting to counter online hate is another way in which we can reinforce equality in sports - without an individual athlete having to take it on the chin. As an AI company committed to detecting and acting against online hate, Areto Labs’ software can protect athletes from abuse by tracking hateful comments on social media. Areto Labs can help sports organizations change the discourse of abusive conversations online, and (as Serena puts it) help “women athletes feel that they can be themselves on the court. They can play with aggression and pump their fists. They can be strong yet beautiful. They can wear what they want and say what they want and kick butt and be proud of it all.”
Learn more here: https://www.aretolabs.com/
Written by Maddy Bhardwaj