Venus Williams has some choice words for the media.
In the wake of Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open, Williams was asked about how she coped with doing press throughout her career. Williams had an epic response that has since gone viral — and rightfully so.
Venus Williams revealed her strategy for dealing with the media...which would certainly work for her: pic.twitter.com/BNMjAOXpZr— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 1, 2021
Venus Williams revealed her strategy for dealing with the media...which would certainly work for her: pic.twitter.com/BNMjAOXpZr
“I know every single person asking me a question can’t play as well as I can and never will,” Williams said when asked how she coped with the media. “So no matter what you say or what you write, you’ll never light a candle to me. So that’s how I deal with it.”
With a career that spans decades, Williams has had her fair share of experiences with the media. An interview from 1995, when the tennis star was just 14, has resurfaced amid the debate around athletes’ press obligations. The video shows a young Williams the year she turned pro in a stalemate with an interviewer until her father steps in.
Bringing back this 1995 clip of Richard Williams calling out an interviewer for trying to rattle 14-year-old Venus Williams. It shows just how invasive the press can be to women athletes of color — and Naomi Osaka is taking a stand against it.[📹: "Day One" / ABC News] pic.twitter.com/8lJ8u2kUSI— Mic (@mic) May 31, 2021
Bringing back this 1995 clip of Richard Williams calling out an interviewer for trying to rattle 14-year-old Venus Williams. It shows just how invasive the press can be to women athletes of color — and Naomi Osaka is taking a stand against it.[📹: "Day One" / ABC News] pic.twitter.com/8lJ8u2kUSI
Williams will continue on her French Open journey, teaming up with rising star Coco Gauff in the doubles draw. The two will play their first match together on Wednesday.