Serena Returns

My Super Bowl is this week: Serena returns to singles, at Wimbledon no less.

This morning, I watched a couple episodes of her documentary: In the Arena.

One recalled the racist crowd at Indian Wells—an event that caused Serena to skip that tournament for fourteen years.

That made me think about the hullabaloo some raised over some of our nation’s black athletes hosting a dinner at the French Open—a dinner for and by those black athletes.

Tennis is a predominantly white sport. That is especially true in the United States.

Tennis is predominantly a sport of privilege. That is especially true in the United States.

As we look to welcome Serena back to the singles court this week, I think we should consider: why did our nation’s black tennis players feel the need to have a dinner for and by themselves?

For me, I am proud of them for doing so, for recognizing and celebrating their growth, achievements, and advancements in the sport.

I am proud of them for creating a space of belonging and authenticity—something often overlooked in an individual, often solitary sport.

Community is not a luxury.

Those athletes stand on the shoulders of giants—giants who did not have that community, giants who would be proud of them, and a giant who returns this week.

I hope they get a chance to celebrate with her, at a dinner for themselves or otherwise. The sport is better because of them, and because a woman like Serena continues to evolve and bring the sport up along with her.

♥️✌🏻🔥

**all thoughts, views, reflections are mine and mine alone**