Undisputed Champion, Who Was Disappointed After Meeting ‘Role Model’ Serena Williams, Once Revealed She Has Experienced Similar Criticism as Tennis Icon

Millions of young girls around the world look up to tennis legend Serena Williams. The 40-year-old plans to retire after the ongoing season, but her impact on the world will be still there for generations. Boxing champion Claressa Shields is one among the millions who adore Williams. The boxer even received the same remarks as Williams did, take a look at what she has to say. 

Shields is at the top of her career right now, but she had to go through her own share of struggles. While talking to Insider, Shields explained how she identifies with Williams. She said, “Growing up, I liked Serena Williams, who was a dominant athlete. She’s a pretty girl to me, but she was always mocked for how she looked, and for her darker skin.”

She further added, “People made fun of her muscles and said mean things about her. When I was 18 years old, people would say things like that about me: ‘You’re too dark, too mean, too loud, and you box too good.”

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Furthermore, the 27-year-old even made reference to US vice president Kamala Harris, who, like Williams, has become a huge influence on young girls.

Claressa Shields shares her disappointment after meeting Serena Williams 

Shields had always idolized the tennis player, and she now had the opportunity to meet her. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the boxer met her hero. Shields was excited to meet Williams but was let down by what she observed.

While talking to Detroit Free Press, the boxer stated, “She [Serena Williams] was just not nice. For me to look up to her like I did when I was a kid and then meet her in person and see how she’s not fan-friendly. She was kind of mean to a lot of people at the Olympics and just kind of made me not want to be like her. Because I’m different.”

Well, the boxer feels Williams was not kind to her fans, and Shields wants to be different from that. She continued by saying that while she admires Williams as an athlete; she does not think highly of her as a person.

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Meanwhile, Serena Williams has said goodbye to the sport and her countless followers. Fans were saddened to learn of her retirement, but her legacy will continue to serve as a standard for future generations.