Serena Williams Shares Empathy with Caitlin Clark in Coping with Early Stardom: ‘I Faced Bullying Too’

Serena Williams, 42, recently praised Caitlin Clark for her grace under pressure during the Tribeca Festival, where Williams premiered her docuseries “In the Arena:

Serena Williams.” Williams emphasised the importance of staying grounded when asked what advice she’d give to Clark, who has been navigating significant public attention.

“I just love that she tries to stay grounded. She said that she doesn’t look at her social [media],” Williams said.

“I get it. I don’t look at it either. It’s so important to continue to do what she’s doing. No matter what others do, if people are negative, it’s because they can’t do what you do. Hopefully, she’ll continue to do what she’s doing.”

Reflecting on her own experiences, Williams recalled the harsh criticism she faced as a rising star.

“I was bullied,” she shared, noting that while these experiences were discussed in her book, they weren’t heavily featured in her documentary. “Things that I had to go through, now people would be cancelled for saying [what they did] back then.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court Thursday, June 13, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Clark, now in her WNBA rookie year after finishing her collegiate career in April, has consistently taken the high road despite numerous challenges.

Her ability to maintain composure and resilience has earned her admiration, including from Williams.

In April, Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, expressed interest in owning a WNBA team. “I absolutely would be [interested]. With the right market, I would be super interested in that,” she told CNN.

Williams’ comments follow Clark and Iowa’s national championship loss to South Carolina, a game that drew 18.9 million viewers.

Williams reflected on the broader progress in women’s sports, stating, “We just needed the suitable catalyst and people, and I think that’s been happening over the past two years.

I think women’s sport is having a moment that it should have always had… Now it’s time to lift other sports, such as women’s soccer and basketball.”

Clark’s journey in the WNBA continues to unfold, with Williams’ praise highlighting the significance of staying focused and resilient amidst public and media scrutiny.