To see Serena Williams walk onto a tennis court, or into any room, is to witness an event. It’s an experience that transcends mere celebrity-spotting. There is an energy, a presence, and an undeniable power that commands the attention of everyone in her vicinity. At 5-foot-9, she is taller than the average woman, but her height is the least imposing thing about her. It is the pure, athletic architecture of her body—the broad, powerful shoulders, the defined arms, and the explosive strength in her legs—that makes you stop and stare. This is the physique of a warrior, an icon, and arguably the greatest athlete of all time.

For decades, this very physique has been the engine of her dominance, the source of her power, and, paradoxically, the subject of endless, often unfair, public scrutiny. But Serena Williams didn’t just win in spite of this; she won because of it. She harnessed her physical gifts, combined them with a “larger-than-life personality” and an iron will, and forged a legacy that not only shattered records but also redefined the very concept of a female athlete.

The most visible evidence of this power is her serve. It is, quite simply, a weapon of mass destruction in the tennis world. When Williams tosses the ball, coils her body, and unleashes her strength, the result is a blur of motion that has clocked in at over 120 miles per hour. This isn’t just speed; it’s a strategic advantage that has won her countless free points, broken the will of her opponents, and served as the foundation of her game. Her arms, shoulders, and core work in perfect, violent harmony to create a force that few, if any, have ever been able to consistently neutralize.

But to focus only on the serve is to miss the broader picture. Her entire game is built on this explosive power. Her forehand, often hit from a revolutionary open stance, is a masterclass in kinetic energy. She plants her powerful legs, rotates her torso, and unloads on the ball, generating angles and pace that leave opponents flat-footed. She doesn’t just hit the ball; she punishes it. This strength is her advantage, her edge, and the engine behind her 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

For years, critics and commentators, often recycling coded and biased language, suggested that a body with such size and muscle mass would inherently lack agility, speed, or endurance. Serena Williams spent over two decades proving them catastrophically wrong. Her size is not a liability; it is her ultimate asset. Her powerful legs give her an explosive first step, allowing her to move quickly and cover the court with deceptive speed. Her strength provides a “reach” that others simply do not possess, allowing her to turn defensive positions into offensive opportunities.

Furthermore, her muscular build is the key to one of her most underrated attributes: her endurance. Tennis is a grueling sport. Matches can last for hours, played in scorching heat and suffocating humidity. Williams’s body, conditioned through intense workouts, is built to handle this strain. She has won more three-set battles, more grueling finals, and more comeback matches than one can count. Where other players’ bodies break down, hers endures. This allowed her to not only dominate but to do so with unprecedented longevity, competing and winning at the highest level of the game well into her late 30s, long after many of her contemporaries had retired.

This physical dominance is amplified by its psychological counterpart. Williams carries herself with an unshakeable confidence that is palpable. When she steps onto the court, her energy is felt immediately. She knows her power, and she owns it completely. This presence can be, and often is, intimidating. Before a single ball is struck, her opponents are already contending with the aura of Serena. They are playing against the legend, the 120 mph serve, the ferocious groundstrokes, and the sheer, indomitable will of a person who refuses to lose. It is a battle on two fronts—the physical and the mental—and Williams almost always wins both.

This larger-than-life persona is not confined to the tennis court. In the worlds of fashion, business, and advocacy, Serena Williams commands attention just as effectively. She is a fixture at fashion shows, awards ceremonies, and on the covers of the world’s most prestigious magazines. But here, too, she rewrites the rules. In a world that often prizes one narrow definition of female beauty, Williams celebrates her strength. She doesn’t hide her muscles in high fashion; she flaunts them. She is confident in her own skin, and that confidence has become a source of inspiration for millions.

As a mother, a businesswoman, and a role model, she has shown that a woman can be powerful, ambitious, and multifaceted. She proved that one does not have to choose between strength and grace, or between being a fierce competitor and a compassionate human being. She embraces who she is, and in doing so, she has given permission to countless others, especially young women and girls of color, to do the same.

In the end, the “huge size” of Serena Williams is not just about her muscles or her height. It is a metaphor for the sheer scale of her impact. It represents the combination of her otherworldly talent, her relentless determination, and her inspiring confidence. She is unforgettable, not just for the way she played the game, but for the way she changed it. Whether she was smashing a serve, walking a red carpet, or inspiring a new generation of young athletes, she proved that being bigger, stronger, and unapologetically proud of yourself is something to be celebrated. She is, and always will be, a true champion in every sense of the word.