This archive report was first published on 13 July 2019.
On July 13, 2019, Serena Williams made headlines at Wimbledon with a resounding defeat to Simona Halep, but it was her response to a scathing critique from tennis legend Billie Jean King that truly stole the show.
King, a 75-year-old tennis icon, had previously suggested that Williams should focus on her tennis career and put aside her celebrity status and fight for equality for a year. However, Williams had other plans.
"The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I'm in my grave," Williams said in response to the question.
Williams' comments came after a disappointing loss to Halep, which marked the third time in the past year that she had failed to take the chance to equal Australian Margaret Court's Grand Slam titles record of 24.
Despite the loss, Williams remained optimistic about her chances of achieving her goal, saying, "I don't know. I mean, I don't really think about it. I just go out there and play, see what happens."
Source: AFP, July 13, 2019
