Serena Williams discusses equal pay after Wimbledon semifinals win
Your teams. Your favorite writers. Wherever you want them. Personalize SI with our new App. Install on iOS or Android.
After earning a trip to the Wimbledon final, Serena Williams let reporters know that she wants her athletic accomplishments to transcend her gender.
During a press conference following her semifinals victory over Elena Vesnina, Williams was asked how it feels to hear discussion about her being one of the greatest female athletes of all time.
She responded to the question by noting that she would prefer to simply be known as one of the greatest athletes of all time, rather than differentiate her achievements from those of a male athletes.
Q. There will be talk about you going down as one of the greatest female athletes of all time. What do you think when you hear someone talk like that?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I prefer the word 'one of the greatest athletes of all time'.
Williams was also asked about equal pay for women and what she would like to see happen to the perception of women’s tennis in the future.
“Well, I would like to see people, the public, the press, other athletes in general, just realize and respect women for who they are and what we are and we do,” Williams said. “I don't think I would deserve to be paid less because of my sex, or anyone else for that matter in any job,” she added.
Q. Can I touch on the subject of equal prize money. Your match today was very quick compared to, say, the five‑setters yesterday of the men. There's some talk on social media again about equal prize money. Do the women deserve equal prize money. I wonder what your thoughts were.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think we deserve equal prize money. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, if you happen to write a short article, you think you don't deserve equal pay as your beautiful colleague behind you?
No. 1-seeded Williams will face off against Angelique Kerber in the Wimbledon final.
With a win, Williams would earn her 22nd Grand Slam title.
