Serena Williams plans to release two books, the first being a memoir that will provide an “intimate” glimpse into her childhood and extraordinary tennis journey.
Last year, the 42-year-old tennis player, considered among the best in history, declared her retirement from the game. She stated, “For such a long time, my sole focus was on winning, and I never took the time to look back and contemplate on my life and career.”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my expanding family and acknowledging my achievements, while also pursuing my other interests,” shared the mother of two. “I am grateful to be in a position where I can embark on a personal and intimate project.”
Publisher Penguin Random House (PRH) said Williams’ forthcoming memoir, which does not yet have a title or publication date, will be an “open-hearted exploration of the experiences that have shaped her life”. The book will look at how the tennis star dealt with scrutiny and attacks in a predominantly white and male-dominated sport, as well as “devastating losses on and off the court”. Williams will also share her thoughts on “celebrating body diversity and expanding the confines of style in sports and pop culture” and “bringing awareness to maternal health disparities.” She will tell the story of meeting her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and her experience of being a mother to her daughters Olympia and Adira.
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The next book, which does not yet have a title, will be a “motivational” piece, according to PRH. In it, Williams will provide guidelines for living based on her own experiences as a philanthropist and advocate. She will also share her journey in supporting a diverse and upcoming group of young women who have goals beyond the tennis court.
Williams was born in Michigan but learned to play tennis in California and, from the age of nine, at an elite tennis academy in Florida. The story of the Williams sisters’ childhood was dramatised in the 2021 film King Richard, for which Will Smith won the best actor Oscar.
When Williams was 14 years old in 1995, she became a professional tennis player. She achieved her first grand slam victory at the age of 17 in the 1999 US Open. Over the course of almost 30 years, her tennis career was highly successful, with a total of 23 major singles championships and $94,588,910 (£77,718,978) in winnings.
In 2005, she and her sister collaborated with author Hilary Beard to write a self-help book called Venus & Serena: Serving From the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving and Winning. The book was published that same year.
In 2010, Williams released her initial individual memoir titled “Queen of the Court.” In 2022, she authored a children’s book called “The Adventures of Qai Qai,” illustrated by Yesenia Moises. The book was inspired by a doll belonging to her daughter, which has gained popularity on various social media platforms.
Source: theguardian.com
