How would things have been different if Serena Williams had chosen to give up tennis in favour of another sport? After witnessing her supremely gracefully dominate the tennis court for years, it’s incomprehensible. But the 23-time Grand Slam champion first considered switching to a different sport. Which do you believe she would have been particularly good at? A small hint: she’s prepared to work with a contemporary American icon who took home three gold medals from the just finished Olympic Games in Paris.
Now, it should come as no surprise that it’s gymnastics. It makes sense that Serena Williams and her daughter Olympia had a great time supporting Simone Biles during the Olympics. Now that the focus is on the US Open rather than the Olympics, it is Biles’ responsibility to support the tennis players. The legendary gymnast is in New York, taking advantage of some downtime at the USTA BJK National Tennis Centre. Williams agreed to work with the gymnast on the tennis court and gave a stunning glimpse inside her conversation with Biles.
Williams posted an Instagram story in which Biles was seen responding to the query, “Who is your ideal doubles partner?” There was no surprise there, since the GOAT partnered with another GOAT. “Oh, certainly, Serena Williams,” Biles retorted. If I had to choose, my partner would be her since she is the Goat in tennis. In response to Biles’s request, Williams shared her own childhood dream of becoming a gymnast.
“I wanted to be a gymnast, but I went with tennis instead.” I’ll be yours, for sure, she laughed. If they could both work together on the tennis court, it would be incredible. However, it might not be feasible for Williams to attempt gymnastics in the opposite direction. But with these amazing athletes, you never know when they’ll be able to break through barriers.
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A few days prior, Biles had addressed the doubts that Coco Gauff had about her height while talking about another American tennis sensation. Gauff had voiced worries about the significant height difference between herself and LeBron James at the Olympic flag-bearing ceremony in Paris. Yet, Biles believes that’s not a problem. In fact, she chose Gauff to be the best tennis player turned gymnast. It seems like there are a lot. To be honest, I didn’t realise tennis players were so tall. But perhaps Coco,” Biles remarked.
Returning to Serena Williams, she has a few years of history with Simon Biles. Even in the worst of situations, the former World No. 1 has always stood with Biles.
What do you think about Serena Williams’ unrealised desire of being a gymnast? Would her legacy have changed if she had followed through on it?
Serena Williams and Simone Biles became closer during her visit to the Paris Olympics
Serena Williams has been enjoying her time as a businesswoman and embracing other sports after moving away from tennis. The Olympics in Paris served as proof of that. Before switching to volleyball, Williams and her daughter Olympia Ohanian were seen applauding Biles’ performance on a few different occasions. But Williams and Biles have been friends since the Tokyo Olympics, when Biles withdrew from a competition in order to focus on her mental health.
“I believe sometimes people are frightened to lose if they start winning, or they’re afraid to fail,” Williams remarked as she stepped up to support the young gymnast. However, that doesn’t. Even the word itself bothers me. It’s not a failure, really. It’s exactly like you slipped and got back up again. The tennis great also commemorated Biles’ inclusion in the Time 100 list of the year 2021’s most important individuals.
Williams was there to encourage Biles every step of the way once more as she travelled to the Olympics in Paris with a good attitude and lit the stage on fire. Serena Williams has won four Olympic gold medals and 23 Grand Slam titles, compared to Biles’ thirty World Championship medals and seven gold medals. The path for the next generation of aspiring athletes has been set by these two ladies. It makes sense that they would want to work together to give their fans the ultimate GOAT crossover right now. What are your thoughts about it? Tell us in the comments section below.
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