Serena Williams admits women still have to ‘fight’ for equality in tennis

WTA Tour

Shahida Jacobs
July 27, 2020

Serena Williams insists the fight for equality in tennis is far from over, saying women are still being left behind when it comes to playing on show courts.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner last week joined a star-studded group, including her husband Alexis Ohanian, actresses Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Garner and America Ferrera, and former United States women’s football stars Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy, which launched Angel City FC that will play in the NWSL from 2022.

The owners are determined to give women more opportunities through the football team, but Williams revealed during an Instagram Live chat with Portman that women are still struggling in tennis.

“That’s something we have to fight for still in tennis,” the former world No 1 said.

“I’ll look at the schedule and there’s four men’s matches and then two women’s matches and then I feel bad, because I’m always one of those women.

“I literally have said just put me on the second court, so we can have other players have an opportunity on centre court.

“Obviously that doesn’t go well in the timings, and they’re like, ‘No, no, no. You need be on centre court,’ and I’m like, ‘These other women need a chance and they deserve it, they’ve been working literally their whole lives to have this opportunity.'”

She added: “Every year I come back to the same tournaments and I come back with the same arguments. They expect me, so when are we going to make those changes?”

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Serena Williams