At the 2024 New York Times DealBook Summit, Serena Williams shared deep insights into the lessons she gained from losses during her illustrious tennis career. Speaking with Andrew Ross Sorkin, she emphasized that the setbacks she faced on the court played a pivotal role in shaping her into the champion and person she is today.
On Learning from Losses
Williams reflected on how tough defeats taught her invaluable lessons:
“My big thing in tennis, like, I never wanted to lose. But unfortunately, I think when you do lose, you learn some of your biggest lessons. Every loss that I had, I kind of needed that to actually become Serena Williams, or I would have never been this person had I not taken some of those really, really hard falls.”
When asked about overcoming losses, she revealed her disciplined approach:
“When I first started, I used to punish myself. And I would say, if I lose, I’m watching the film. And that was very hard. And it was very difficult to go back and to watch the footage of why I lost.”
This process of self-analysis, while challenging, enabled her to identify mistakes, refine her strategies, and avoid repeating errors. Williams explained that she applies the same mindset as a venture capitalist, reviewing what went wrong to fuel growth in her business endeavors.
Advocating for Women in Sports
During the interview, Williams also addressed the growing visibility of women’s sports, asserting that it is not just a “moment”:
“We women athletes have always been around. We’ve always been amazing and we’ve always been great. You guys are just noticing.”
She highlighted the impact of her sister Venus Williams and herself in breaking viewership records at events like the U.S. Open, calling for continued investment in women’s sports:
“When you invest in women, just like what we do at Serena Ventures, you really see what product you get. There’s so much great potential out there.”
Through Serena Ventures, Williams focuses on supporting businesses that promote diversity and women’s empowerment, both in sports and other fields.
Life Beyond Tennis
Since retiring from professional tennis, Williams has become a successful entrepreneur. She runs Serena Ventures, actively investing in initiatives that align with her values, and has also launched the Wyn makeup brand. Her post-tennis career exemplifies her drive to make a lasting impact both on and off the court.
Personal Beliefs
Serena Williams is a Jehovah’s Witness, a faith that significantly influences her personal life. As a result, she does not celebrate birthdays or holidays like Christmas, adhering to the traditions of her religion. This aspect of her life reflects her deep commitment to her spiritual beliefs while pursuing excellence in her professional and personal endeavors.
