How Venus and Serena Williams revolutionized tennis and popularized…
When Venus and Serena Williams initially rose to international fame, they completely transformed tennis. These were two black girls from Compton, California, which Serena has claimed she is happy to call home. However, Compton is also a city made famous by the rap group N.W.A, whose lyrics stress gang violence, police brutality, and violent crime in the neighborhood.
With the exception of Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who became the first Aboriginal woman to win the Wimbledon women’s singles competition in 1971, it’s fair to say that tennis has been predominantly white. It was an elite sport. Blonde ponytails, trim physiques, branded sweatbands, and plenty of privilege. (Where there was affluence, there were also many explosive tantrums.)
