Q&A: Venus Williams’ podcast included a ‘telenovela’ Serena moment

Tennis legend Venus Williams says she never played for the attention it would bring. She did it because she wanted to be a champion.

Williams has more than succeeded in becoming that, and since turning pro as a young teenager, she’s won over and over again. Her career accolades include five Olympic medals (four gold and one silver), an astounding 49 singles titles, including seven majors (five wins at Wimbledon and two at the US Open). She also has 22 doubles titles with 14 coming at Grand Slams. Williams’ achievements make her one of the greatest athletes ever, and it’s not hard to understand the sheer impact sports have had on her life.

To that notion, she’s made it part of her mission through a partnership with Dove to amplify the difference sports can make with young girls. Williams wants to help prevent young athletes from dropping out due to issues with body image and confidence. She says it’s important to make sure positive messaging and verbiage are used to help support young athletes as they navigate life. Ultimately, Williams hopes that they will have the same opportunities as she did in sports.

MORE WOMEN’S SPORTS: Alyssa Thomas takes Phoenix Mercury to same heights she took the Sun

“It’s not about going forward, but it’s about what it gives you. And the sport has given me so much,” Williams told For The Win. “So, I’m very excited to be a part of the program and to even be educated myself because I thought those days were over, where girls were dropping out. I thought that was the past, but to know that it’s still happening means we have work to do, and it first starts with awareness.”

For The Win recently sat down with Williams to chat more about body image in tennis, how she continues pursuing goals even with a decorated career, and an “emotional telenovela” moment with her sister, Serena Williams.

How has body image changed in sports and tennis over the years?

I think in the last, especially five years or so, people are really waking up to the pressures of life, the pressures on women, the pressures that are very real. The pressure and how we have to be conscious of what we say. We can’t use words that really hurt.

So I think that women, also by being even more celebrated in sports … and that growth and more women’s sports that are becoming household names, all those things open the barrier of people seeing women’s bodies as athletic, as beautiful and normal and to be celebrated ― something to achieve for. I want that body, too. Whatever shape that is. It’s about what your body can do and not about judging.

With everything you’ve accomplished in your career, how do you continue to set new goals?

For me, now, I do my best to try to live a more balanced life, so my goals definitely involve that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and also things that I’m passionate about. Definitely passionate about wellness, I’m passionate about young people in sports, fashion [and] art design. So, really making sure I’m staying in my lane and not spreading myself too thin.

How do you continue to feed the competitive fire in you?

I don’t know if I need to feed my competitive fire. I do like pressure, and you can find pressure in all kinds of places, but also maybe there comes a point where you’re like, “OK, my fire is not as hungry.” So, I’m OK.

What joy does tennis bring to your life?

It’s fun reaching your goals. I think that could be the most fun and addictive part. There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. I mean all kinds of things that you would never guess before you walk up the court and start in action. It’s a battle. So, to see the progress go forward, it’s very addictive. It’s very fun, and it’s in my DNA at this point. [chuckles] All of the above.

What’s the history behind your podcast, Stockton Street, with your sister?

The name is actually the street we grew up on in Compton, California. So we wanted a name that had a lot of meaning and also represented what we wanted to do with the podcast, because we’ve never shared a lot about our personal lives. We’re just diving in [with] a lot of storytelling, a lot of confessions ― all the above. So, we’re kind of just opening up the gates and wanting to see other people do well and pass on our information and knowledge: how to be happy, how to be well, and also share the things we did wrong. I think a lot of times you can talk about what you did right, but a lot of times people learn more from what you did wrong.

And it’s been interesting too and recording it because we’ve gotten to spend really quality time together and learn more about each other. I don’t think either of us ever thought that would happen because I think we knew each other so well. We’re kind of like talking about moments where we’re in the same place at the same time doing the same thing, but having completely different thoughts and not ever realizing that we were thinking differently. Definitely exploration and also a chance for people to finally see our relationship that we’ve never talked about.

What’s something that you learned about Serena that you didn’t know before?

Oh, I mean, you have to listen to the podcast, but I learned while I was quite robotic, she was on a telenovela emotional journey. I learned that she hated practice growing up as a kid, and I didn’t even think about it. So just kind of two different ways of like going through the same thing. We have different emotions … but we still got to the same place, but process it so differently.

What show or movie do you put on if you need a laugh or just want to feel good?

I’ve watched Sex and the City nonstop because those girls are so funny to me, and also it’s so true, like if you’re dating … Their stories are maybe a little exaggerated, but so true. So that was really funny for me, and I used to love watching How I Met Your Mother. I love a romantic comedy, and I feel like I’ve run out.

What’s a moment from your career you’d like to relive over and over again?

You know, maybe this past US Open, definitely, because I felt an unprecedented amount of joy there, and I was having so much fun, and it was so much work and it was so hard, but it was also so fun. And I learned so much. So I would do that just that one again. Maybe I could choose a result, but I had a blast.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Venus Williams talks podcast with sister Serena and more