GOAT of women’s tennis, according to experts, the American Serena Williams (41) can carry that title with her. The multiple grand slam champion had a touching farewell at the US Open last year, although Williams continues to claim from time to time that she still hasn’t really stopped. Although the American has since found other occupations.
Jeroen DePauw
Serena Williams has never been shy about citing her faith as one of the factors behind her competitiveness as a tennis player, making her one of the greatest of all time. The 41-year-old – who won no less than 23 Grand Slams during her career – saw her faith become a point of discussion on a number of occasions.
Williams at her farewell at the US Open. — © AP
Williams has long identified as a Jehovah’s Witness, but had never been officially baptized until now. It started for Venus Williams’ sister in 2003, when her eldest half-sister Yetunde Price was killed in a shooting, Williams took some time away from tennis to regularly attend witness meetings since then.
In the water
Her faith became visible, among other things, at daughter Olympia’s birthdays. After all, within the faith, birthdays – including those of children – are not celebrated, because they believe that God disapproves of such celebrations. Her other sisters also converted to the faith.
“Being a Jehovah’s Witness is important to me, but I’ve never really practiced it and was eager to get into it,” Serena Williams told Vogue magazine five years ago. Since announcing her retirement in 2022, the American has reportedly taken that time to study the religion even more. Last week, a video appeared on Twitter and TikTok in which Williams was officially baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in West Palm Beach, Florida. And that baptism included a ritual in the water.
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The tennis star, meanwhile, said that she not only goes to church, but also goes from door to door to evangelize, as is expected of witnesses.