Serena Williams Gets Personal In DuJour Magazine
Read along as Serena talks about her privacy or lack thereof , learning to love her curves and potentially tiring of tennis.
What's your routine like on the day of a big match?If I'm playing at night, I go to the gym in the morning and then just relax. I try not to think about the match, but of course, it's all I can think about.
Is there a specific meal you always eat before you play?I'm not really a superstitious person, so I always try to mix it up. I've been trying to eat a lot healthier—lots of veggies, green juice and fish.
Is it impossible for you to go out in public without getting recognized?I could never go to places like [Starbucks]—I have to send someone out for me. I really don't like to say no to pictures, so I always end up saying yes. But if you say yes to one, then there's 20 people asking, and then there's 30. It's crazy, so I'm in my room a lot. During a tournament I hardly ever leave the hotel. Ever.
You have an apartment in Paris—is it less crazy there?Paris used to be my safe haven. It was always a big sigh of relief for me there. I didn't have to worry. But ever since I won Roland Garros [the French Open], I don't really go out there. Or I go to the country.
Do you ever wish you could live normally?I don't complain about it—it's just something you have to get used to. It's such a humbling feeling that anyone would even watch me play. I feel so honored, honestly, by anyone who's a fan of mine and who appreciates me.
So when you're holed up in your apartment or a hotel, do you get cabin fever?No. I do work and watch a lot of TV. I'm a big fan of Netflix. I just sawOrange Is the New Black, but it was too violent for me. I also spend a lot of time designing. I have two collections.
Have you always been interested in fashion?When I was younger, I made clothes for my dolls. My mom taught me how to sew when I was 2 or 3, so I've been sewing for as long as I can remember.
And you still sew?Yes. I had a photo shoot the other day after I won a tournament, and when I put the dress on, it ripped. So I asked someone for the sewing kit and I just sewed it up right there. Everyone couldn't believe it. You could never tell it was broken.
You've become such a strong, confident role model for women. How does that feel?Well, I wasn't always confident. I just started feeling comfortable with myself about six or seven years ago. That's why I tell people that even at 25 or 26, it's OK if you're feeling uncomfortable with yourself. I was too. It's normal. I love who I am, and I encourage other people to love and embrace who they are. But it definitely wasn't easy—it took me a while.
Why was it difficult?I grew up with a lot of sisters—I was the youngest, and I was really thick. My sister Venus was so tall and slim, and just being in a society where a lot of people are really thin, it was hard. Especially as an athlete. No athlete has boobs like me. But I had to learn how to embrace myself and embrace my curves. And that's something a lot of people can relate to.
You've been working and training unbelievably hard for more than half your life. Are there ever mornings you wake up and think, I don't feel like doing this anymore?
Not yet. But if I do, that'll be the day I realize that time's up. Right now I'm having so much fun...and I'm still pretty good at what I do [laughs]. So it's like, why not keep going? You only get this opportunity once in your life.
Comments