If you’re hating on me, please get in line” – Serena Williams gets honest about her flippant approach to ‘long line’ of critics

Serena Williams shares her approach to critics (Image Source: Getty)

On the tennis courts, Serena Williams is one of the most decorated and celebrated women’s singles stars of all time. However, off the court, the American has received more than her fair share of scrutiny and criticism, and she recently opened up about how she approaches the hate she receives.

Williams first rose to fame in 1999, when she won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open. Over the course of the next two decades, the 44-year-old shot to stardom across the world as she went on to win 22 more majors while being ranked No.1 in the world for 319 weeks.

Recently, during an episode of ‘Stockton Street’, a podcast she hosts with her sister Venus Williams, Serena Williams opened up about the criticism she has faced throughout her career. She revealed that the hate fueled her at one point, saying,

“For me, I needed it. I liked someone saying I couldn’t. Once I heard you can’t, that was it. It’s almost like if you’re hating on me, please get in line. Also, it’s a very long line, you’re going to have to go way back there.”

Outside of criticisms about their games and results, both the Williams sisters also faced racist and sexist behaviour from fans and media alike during their rise to the top.

Serena Williams honoured with the ‘Giving Tree Award’ at the 14th annual Baby2Baby Gala

Williams at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala (Image Source: Getty)

On Saturday, November 8, Serena Williams attended the 14th annual Baby2Baby Gala. Based in the USA, Baby2Baby is a non-profit organization that helps provide critical aid like diapers, clothes and disaster relief to children in need.

At the gala, Williams was honoured with the Giving Tree Award. In her acceptance speech, the tennis star delivered an important message about compassion, saying,

“Every child deserves a fair chance. Every mother deserves to be supported and uplifted, and each of us bears the power, no matter the duty, to turn that hope into reality. Giving back isn’t just charity; it’s justice, it’s dignity, and the baby is leading this movement, showing us what’s possible when compassion meets action. So I would like to thank you all for celebrating me.”

As a tennis player, Serena Williams won 23 singles and 16 doubles Grand Slams over the course of two decades. She also spent 319 weeks as World No.1 and won five WTA Tour Finals titles as well as four Olympic gold medals. Since retiring from tennis, Williams has turned her focus to her venture capital firm Serena Ventures.