After Serena Williams lost the Wimbledon final on Saturday, some fans questioned whether in order to succeed, she should crowd everything but tennis out of her life.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King had said in June that Williams should consider making tennis her top priority:
But even after losing to Simona Halep last weekend, Williams disagreed that she should make tennis her sole focus. “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,” she said.
Writing for ESPN, Alyssa Roenigk argued that Williams has not lost focus. Instead, she’s gained perspective. Roenigk wrote:
Instead of being criticized for waning at a sport she has dominated, Williams should be commended for succeeding at so much. If she’s already earned the title of one of the best tennis players of all time, why should she stick only to her sport?
Roenigk argues that her other activities help Williams focus on the court as well. She writes:
Williams has accomplished much over the course of her career, and many of her achievements occurred outside of the tennis court. Her recent comments serve as an important reminder: A diversity of interests is part of a healthy lifestyle, and our lives are so much more than our successes in one arena.
