Serena Williams- The Bridge Between Women and Religion

America’s favourite, Serena Williams is undoubtedly the unprecedented tennis ace on the women’s circuit. Presently, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is working to share the spot of the highest number of Grand Slam titles with Margaret Court, who has won two dozen major titles. Also, Williams is looking forward to joining the club of mothers with Grand Slam titles, which incorporates Evonne Goolagong, Kim Clijsters and Margaret Court. Williams will be seen competing on the courts of Melbourne during the 2019 Australian Open. She was the champion in the year 2017 despite carrying a two-month-old foetus in her womb. 

Looking beyond her on-court persistence and dedication towards tennis, Williams owes her victories in tennis to Jehovah. Serena was brought up as a Jehovah Witness. After winning her sixth Australian Open title she said, “I have to thank Jehovah God for this. I was down and out and he helped me today and I just said prayers, not to win but to be strong and to be healthy and in the end I was able to come through so I have to give the glory to him first and foremost.” Her devotion to the lord and her perseverance on the court both consolidated together makes her the greatest of all times.

Williams’ daughter,  Alexis Olympia tuned one this year. Her fans around the world were expecting the pictures of the party, however, nothing as such was released. “Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays because they believe that such celebrations displease God”, Williams said. Also, her husband, Alexis Kerry Ohanian believes in the same ideology. Despite not having a religious upbringing, receptive Ohanian puts forth Serena’s thoughts first. Although, the tennis star doesn’t practice the religion to her fullest, nevertheless, she aspires to embrace it to her maximum.

Claiming Jehovah Witness to be her secret weapon to success, the religion holds back women, averts them to step out and achieve in the world outside. Even the children are discouraged from attending school. The American tennis ace sets an example for the other women in the society to follow their dreams. Also, she is the voice to reform society.

 

Serena Williams always insists upon the inequality in tennis. Even though she has more Grand Slams than the ace men’s tennis players and the prize money for men and women is the same, she has earned tens of millions of dollars less than them. She also voiced for Alizé Cornet this year, who received a penalty for temporarily removing her shirt on the court during the US Open. When the ATP change their shirts on the court nobody raises their voice. She is constantly backing to bring equality in her workplace, but unfortunately, the religion which she practices doesn’t promote equality between men and women.