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US tennis legend and arguably the greatest tennis player of all time Serena Williams recently sent a public message to WNBA Indiana Fever basketball player Caitlin Clark.

Williams is happily retired but in the public eye of late for her two July projects with ESPN. The network produced a docuseries called “In the Arena” which is promising to be the most comprehensive look at her tennis career. It is the latest installation of this docuseries which featured Tom Brady in its 2021 episodes. Serena’s version features eight episodes with the first to be released on July 10, the day before she takes the stage to host the ESPY Awards on July 11.

Serena broke barriers in a sport that had never seen a player like her before so it is understandable that she has an opinion of and advice for Clark.

What Serena Williams said

Serena comes from an individual sport where the women, for the most part, build each other up and support each other’s wins and losses despite being direct competitors. Clark is participating in a team sport that she, along with other women players, are opening the floodgates for and attracting new fans.

Clark has received backlash but has somehow maintained a classy demeanor in the face of it. Williams’s comments are aimed at helping Clark understand why she is receiving this level of negativity as her sport is flourishing despite being in existence for over 25 years.

Serena said, “If people are negative, it’s because they can’t do what you do.” The implication is that jealousy motivates their words and actions.

Serena is not wrong. It is sad to see females in sports degrade one another when all can benefit and contribute to the long term growth of it. The WNBA is having its moment, the actions of the people who want to knock Clark down (both literally and figuratively) may have a say in how long the moment lasts.