Taylor Swift is at the Super Bowl, cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, with her friends in a suite.
While many are happy to see her there, some people in the stadium booed Swift when she was showed on the Jumbotron. The stadium, of course, is full of both Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles fans.
Swift realized the cameras were on her, took in the reaction, then appeared to laugh it off. The NFL shared the clip on its Instagram without sound:
While social media had plenty to say about the moment, Serena Williams took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to defend Swift. “I love you @taylorswift13 dont listen to those booo!!” Williams wrote. The tennis player was at the game and made a surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show.
During her December 2023 Time interview, Swift spoke about people being critical of her attending Kelce’s games. “I’m just there to support Travis,” she said. “I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads.”
She marveled over how the cameras always manage to find her in the stadium. “I don’t know how they know what suite I’m in,” she said. “There’s a camera, like, a half-mile away, and you don’t know where it is, and you have no idea when the camera is putting you in the broadcast, so I don’t know if I’m being shown 17 times or once.”
Swift has been attending Kelce’s home games this season. The Super Bowl is her first away game of the year.
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova had one of tennis’ biggest rivalries in the 2000s.
Although Williams enjoyed a dominant 20-2 record against the Russian star, Sharapova earned a significant victory against the tennis icon at Wimbledon.
Aged just 17, Sharapova stunned Williams to win her first Grand Slam title in 2004 and later caught her crying. Sharapova still believes her rival never forgave her for that match.
Serena and Venus Williams dominated Wimbledon in the early 2000s. By the time Sharapova won her first major, the sisters already had two trophies each at the All England Club.
Sharapova pulled off a massive upset in 2004, becoming the first player outside of the Williams sisters to clinch the title at Wimbledon this century.
The Russian was still a teenager when she shocked Williams in the championship match. Seeded 13th, Sharapova had already upset Lindsay Davenport by the time she got to the final.
And she breezed past the younger Williams sister, winning 6-1 6-4 to claim her first of five Grand Slam titles. To this day, Sharapova believes the 23-time Major champion holds a grudge for that match.
In her 2017 autobiography, Sharapova claimed she caught Williams crying in the locker room after the match.
“I went to the locker room alone. Serena had left the court as soon as she could without making a scene,” she wrote.
“I did not notice it and wouldn’t have thought about it if not for what was going on when I got to my stall.
“Having your own private stall means that, even though you cannot see your opponent, you can hear her. And what I heard, when I came in and started to change clothes was Serena Williams crying. I got out as quickly as I could, but she knew I was there.”
Sharapova defeated Williams in their next meeting at the WTA Finals later in 2004. But she never beat her again – and the Russian believes it’s because her rival “hated” her after their Wimbledon encounter.
The former No. 1 wrote: “People often wonder why I have had so much trouble beating Serena; she’s owned me in the past ten years. My record against her is 2 and 19.
“In analysing this, people talk about her strength, her serve and confidence, how her particular game matches up to mine and sure there is truth to all of that.
“To me, the real answer was there, in this locker room. where I was changing and she was sobbing. I think Serena hated me for being the skinny kid who beat her, against all the odds, at Wimbledon.
“I think she hated me for taking something that she believes belongs to her. I think she hated me for seeing her at her lowest moment. But mostly I think she hated me for hearing her cry. She’s never forgiven me for it.”
Williams got one more win over Sharapova before they both retired, taking her lifetime record to 20-2 against the 37-year-old. The pair now have a good relationship and have reunited at events like the Met Gala in recent years.
Being a young, rising, and black tennis star is not an easy job.
Ask Coco Gauff who’s previously echoed that “sometimes you do stick out like a sore thumb. Like in the Black community, tennis is not a huge thing. Nobody really knew anything about it.” But there’s always inspiration to seek in order to focus on your goals. For the 2023 US Open winner, the sources of motivation while growing and taking up tennis were the 30-time combined Slam champions Venus and Serena Williams. But it’s not just their on-court aura that has encouraged Gauff in her career. She’s even taken up the amazing hairstyles of them while infusing her own creative touch.
It’s Black History Month and Gauff couldn’t have chosen a better occasion to express her feelings as a black tennis player representing her community. The World No.3 and 2024 WTA Finals champion took to Instagram to reveal her special collaboration with Carol’s Daughter to celebrate Black History Month. Since her deal with the brand in April 2024, Gauff has been part of its various campaigns but the latest one is special. Being a huge fan of the Williams sisters, Gauff decided to pay “homage” to them with her new hairstyle, having beaded cornrows. In a clip shared on her IG, dated February 25, she said, “I remember obviously watching Venus and Serena when I was young. This look is kind of an homage to them.”
“They’ve always changed their hair. They had the beads, they had the braids, they had the curls, they had straight, they had everything.” Surely they had. Remember how, when the two sisters began their careers in the early 2000s, they made headlines with their beaded hairstyles?
Take for example Serena’s 1999 US Open campaign. En route to her maiden Slam victory, she turned heads with a look having white and yellow beads in her hair. The same was the case with Venus Williams, who sported beads for the majority of her career on the court. While they became a style statement, she once faced trouble because of them. Back in 1999, during the Australian Open QF against Lindsay Davenport, some of Venus’ beads fell on the ground. It happened when she jumped to serve the ball. The chair umpire then handed her a point penalty for causing disturbance. But she didn’t believe her beads acted as a means to distract her opponent. Later, she continued to flaunt them in subsequent events too.
Emphasizing how she was moved by the Williams sisters’ looks, Gauff added, “When I became more aware of what I wanted to do with my hair, I was taking inspiration and taking note of what they were doing with their hair.” Reflecting on her black heritage, she further remarked, “I think, as a Black woman especially in a predominantly white sport, you’re obviously very aware of your hair and how it’s perceived. I remember thinking, ‘Is it too Black? Is it too much? Is it too much color?’”
Apart from paying tribute to her idols, Gauff also uses her hairstyle as a way of “self-expression”. She made it evident on a previous occasion.
Remember how Coco Gauff sported the box braids when she burst onto the tennis scene at the 2019 Wimbledon? But prior to the 2023 US Open, she switched the style to fit the cornrows in her hair. “Honestly, I wanted to try this and I got tired of braids all the time. I like to change up my hair,” she said. “I’ve tried color in the past with the braids and everything, but I just needed something different.”
After she signed a multi-year partnership with Carol’s Daughter last season, it opened endless opportunities for her to experiment with her hair. Another reason to join the brand was its focus on uplifting black beauty. “I was using Carol’s Daughter’s products for years before this opportunity came to me,” she said, as reported by PopSugar in April 2024. “As I’ve matured, I’ve started learning to embrace my hair more, and working with this brand felt like perfect alignment. It was founded by a Black woman with an emphasis on family, and given how close I am to mine, this partnership just felt authentic to me.”
Revealing the idea behind changing her styles, Gauff explained, “Whether it’s box braids, twists, or my natural hair, it’s a form of self-expression that I’m really proud of, especially because you still don’t see it very often in our sport.”
But what about tennis? Well, the 2024 Australian Open semifinalist is yet to find her form this season. After crashing out of Melbourne last month, in the QF stage, her journey in 2025 isn’t going smoothly. At the Qatar Open earlier this month, she couldn’t move past the first round. Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk beat her with a score line of 6-2, 7-5. Then at the Dubai Tennis Championships, last week, she failed to impress yet again, losing to compatriot McCartney Kessler in straight sets again, by 6-4, 7-5 to be precise.
“Brainwashed to become No. 1″—Serena Williams‘ ex-coach, Rick Macci, played a vital role in putting her raw talent to use.
Before her sensational performances stormed the WTA, the American coach’s relationship with her and her elder sister Venus Williams was relatively unspoken. Naturally, some moments never reached fans’ inboxes, but Macci finally decided to change that. Not only that, but Macci also revealed why Williams always stood out among other students in her academy.
The Williams sisters first practiced with the American coach in 1991. He took the generational talent under his wing for four years before their father, Richard Williams, stepped in to take full charge of their coaching responsibilities in 1995. However, during that period, Macci spent countless moments training Serena. It wasn’t all work and no play. The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Master Professional always found time to plan fun activities for all the players in his Florida academy.
Subsequently, Macci took to X and narrated chucklesome moments from when the 23-time Slam winner loved to play ‘Tag’ with other students. He further elaborated that Williams was his players’ most feared opponent due to her tactical finesse, enabling her to win each time. She was a natural, with a hint of instinctive talents. “Serena loved to play TAG as a kid with all the other students.”
“She in my opinion was the MOST FEARED student playing tag in the History of the academy. Not because of her agility cat-like quickness or rocket speed. It was because she played with a CLOSED FIST,” he said.
For those unaware, Macci’s pivotal role in Williams’ life was also showcased in the movie ‘King Richard,’ depicting her father’s poignant journey in transforming young girls into tennis legends. Macci’s role in the biographical sports drama was led by renowned American actor Jon Bernthal.
Serena Williams candidly opened up her postpartum body after welcoming her second daughter, Adira, in August 2023.
Williams, 42, took to Instagram on Saturday, June 15, to share a clip of herself getting a skin radio frequency tightening procedure on her torso. “On my last trip to Paris a girlfriend of mine treated me to a spa day,” she captioned the post. “She knows after 2 babies I have been self conscious of my tummy. I just had to post this video she took.
The results have been amazing. I can see progress with my skin going back to normal and my confidence coming back. Listen, my body will never be the same but neither will I cause I have 2 amazing lights in my life.” In addition to Adira, Williams and husband Alexis Ohanian share 6-year-old daughter Olympia.
She continued: “I will always love my birthing scars but I just wanted to say thanks to my friend Mia and Nat for letting me know it’s ok to take time for myself away from work and kids.” The former tennis pro also shared she’ll keep her followers updated on her body transformation.
Since giving birth to Adria in August 2023, Williams has been open about her evolving figure. In October 2023, she shared a snap of her via Instagram hitting the gym and trying to get her “ab muscles working again.”
“Here comes fitness!” she captioned the post. In February, she updated her followers on her progress while posing in a bikini. “Right now I love that my body is not picture perfect,” she wrote. “I love getting to know a new version of my body. It is a change, but it’s a change that has been well worth it.”
Williams also got real about attempting to fit into a tight Valentino denim skirt that she bought while pregnant, hoping to wear it after giving birth. Last month, she attempted to put the garment on until it got stuck around her bum. “Can’t say I’m happy about this but it’s getting there,” she said in the social media video.
She perhaps would’ve won even more in her career had she not dealt with competition from her younger sister, Serena Williams.
The 43-year-old won 23 Major titles, ending her career in 2022 as arguably the greatest player in the history of the WTA Tour.
Battling it out for more than 20 years, the Williams sisters developed a legendary rivalry that helped take women’s tennis to another level.
During the rivalry, Venus Williams did whatever it took to get ahead of her sister, sometimes to her own detriment.
Speaking on her YouTube channel, Williams explained how a lack of flexibility troubled her throughout her professional career.
“Some people like Serena [Williams], she’s so much looser than me, and she could do middle splits and all this stuff,” she said.
“There’s a point where I was really trying to work on getting a lot looser but I actually ended up hurting myself in that process.
“The reason is once you start actually stretching a lot more to get more flexibility, it actually strengthens you.”
Williams then explained what she came to ‘accept’ over time in her career.
“I’m not the most flexible person, I tried, I tried, I realized it’s not me,” she said.
“I’d be on tour watching other tennis players, and I’m like, why are they so flexible, then I realized it’s just not me.
“So I accepted that I’m not the most flexible person, and that’s ok.”
Williams explained her stretching routines to her fans, something that she’ll need to keep on top of as she returns to the sport next month.
The 44-year-old was handed a Wild Card to the Indian Wells tournament in California, where she will make her first professional appearance since losing in the 2024 Miami Open first round.
Venus and Serena Williams faced off 31 times in total, as they clashed on tennis’ biggest stages.
Serena led the head-to-head 19-12, although their record in Major finals was far more lopsided, as the younger of the two sisters dominated at the Grand Slam level.
Grand Slam final
Winner
Loser
Score
2017 Australian Open
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
6-4, 6-4
2009 Wimbledon
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
7-6, 6-2
2008 Wimbledon
Venus Williams
Serena Williams
7-5, 6-4
2003 Wimbledon
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2003 Australian Open
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
7-6, 3-6, 6-4
2002 US Open
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
6-4, 6-3
2002 Wimbledon
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
7-6, 6-3
2002 French Open
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
7-5, 6-3
2001 US Open
Venus Williams
Serena Williams
6-2, 6-4
Venus Williams and Serena Williams’ Grand Slam final head-to-head
Venus heartbreakingly lost seven Major finals to her sister, including five in a row between 2002 and 2003.
They faced off for a Grand Slam title one final time at the Australian Open in 2017, as fans witnessed another chapter of their legendary rivalry.
In straight sets, Serena secured her 23rd and final Major title, taking her sister down on the big occasion once again.
Their last Major final meeting came in 2017, but the last time fans saw Venus and Serena Williams face off was in Lexington five years ago.
Serena was the top seed at the event, as she took on her sister in the second-round, after Venus beat former two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka in her opening match.
It was Venus who struck first, taking the first set 6-3, before her younger sister battled back in the second and third.
Eventually, Serena pulled through, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the quarter-finals in Lexington.
It was there that she lost to fellow American Shelby Rogers as her campaign came to an abrupt end.
The sisters never played again on the WTA Tour, as a legendary rivalry saw its final chapter written in Lexington, Kentucky, five years ago.
Serena Williams is showcasing a new skill — gardening.
The tennis champion, 43, gave fans a peek into one of her hobbies via an Instagram story on Monday, February 17. In the video, she wears a sweater over a blue Nike T-shirt as she takes fans on a tour of her garden.
“Rare footage of me at my farm where I’m just picking the Moringa things off the trees, I don’t know what they’re called!” she laughed.
She continued, “So when I — I do a lot of cooking, I make lots of teas from leaves. I dehydrate things and I — I’m like a little bit of a, I don’t know, naturalist. But I don’t really talk about it a lot.”
Williams explained that she was collecting leaves from the Moringa tree to dehydrate and make her own tea. She added that if you take the seeds, keep them wet for a few days, and eat them, they help flush out your system and aid digestion.
The mom of two has been making headlines off the court in recent weeks, especially after surprising fans with an appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, where she famously performed a c-walk during his “Not Like Us” performance.
She previously performed the dance after winning gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, which inspired Lamar.
“When @kendricklamar and team called and was like ‘we’ve been trying to do something forever, what about this? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal,'” she revealed an Instagram post following the Super Bowl. “I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious? When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a superbowl? (Never) let’s do it! I knew my winning dance after the @olympics would pay off one day. End of story.”
Shortly after the event, the retired sports star was criticised for performing the Crip Walk dance during the show, a dance she was also slammed for performing to celebrate her victory at the 2012 London Olympics.
Serena was also accused by social media users of appearing to diss Drake, who she is widely believed to have dated in the past, by teaming up with his rap rival Kendrick amid their ongoing feud.
In response to the backlash, Serena’s husband Alexis Ohanian took to X to defend his wife, writing, “Some of y’all have no idea how criticised Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows….This is bigger than the music.”
Serena has now taken to X a week later to respond to the criticism.
“That there my baby daddy and husband. Always got my back. I Love you,” the 43-year-old wrote on Monday. “Gosh I’m so late to the game (I’ve been sick) & busy investing in billion dollar companies and running @WYNbeauty… def not dancing to be petty lol.”
The sports star, who won 23 Grand Slams during her career, continued, “I think I proved 23 times over (not counting four gold medals) that I simply don’t have time for petty. All love and respect always nothing negative here.”
Let the waves hit your feet, it’s perhaps time for a bit of relaxation.
After a breathtaking performance at the Super Bowl LIX, Serena Williams was spotted performing her motherhood duties on the very next day. However, while trying to find a perfect balance between her jam-packed schedules and daily routines, the tennis legend finally found some time for relaxation as well. Recently, Serena Williams shared a few glimpses of her ‘girls trip’ on her IG handle. To put it short, she flaunted her mesmerizing style while relaxing under the sun.
Serena Williams stunned everyone when she came out crip walking to Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like US; during the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Ever since that iconic performance, Williams received quite a lot of criticism for multiple reasons. However, she looked literally unfazed by all of that. The next day, she uploaded a video clip, where she was heard saying, “In between meetings, I ran, took Adira to the zoo, and then I’m gonna go back to the office. Just a day in the life.”
That shows us, that even after almost three years of retirement, Serena Williams’ schedule is still very tight! Perhaps, she still has to follow that inspirational mantra that she once said while doing yoga, “I will Rest. I will Recover. I will Recharge. I will Repeat. I will enjoy some time for myself.” Talking about finding time for herself, on her girls’ trip, Serena was spotted slaying in a stunning bikini top while sitting beside a pool on a bright sunny day. A little splash of water on the feet can infuse a wholesome relaxing experience, isn’t it?
Along with her green and white designed attire, the fashion icon also donned a similar colored hairband along with a black sunglass. Serena was taking selfies as well, while the gentle waves of the water from the pool splashed onto her feet. She captioned that picture with, “Unfiltered untouched magic at magic hour #girlstrip.” Life after retirement seems great for Serena Williams, isn’t it?
Well, not only retirement but even the swimsuits and beachwear look great on this beautiful tennis diva! Last year, she posted a similar picture of herself jumping on the beach on a bright sunny day, wearing a black swimsuit. She had also uploaded another picture of herself with the turquoise blue water in the background and captioned that post with, “Them: Don’t start jumping to conclusions…Me:” Her fellow tennis star, Caroline Wozniacki showered love on the American, as she commented, “❤️🔥.”
Serena Williams is a perfect example of how important it is to take time out for oneself and celebrate each moment of our lives. However, everything wasn’t always picture-perfect for her.
Being Serena Williams is certainly not easy! In 2018, she even admitted, “It’s been so hard balancing being a mom and starting my clothing line, as well as playing a professional sport!” Trying to find a balance between work and family life and then finding some time for oneself has always been a bit challenging for her, even after retirement. However, with time, Serena has started to ace all of these things.
The mother of two is now an inspiration to several working mothers. What does she think about taking care of herself amid all these daily routines? “Being ok to take time for myself is something I have always struggled with. I finally started being ok to take an hour (during nap time) away from my kids and work to do something for myself. I always feel guilty leaving them but I have to also remember taking care of myself, will only help me take better care of them,“ said Williams in a previous social media post.
Nowadays, even her husband, Alexis Ohanian feels a bit amazed by the way she handles all these things. He once said, “Something (Williams) is really good at is shutting it off and focusing on family time and personal time.” Not only that, Ohanian also believes, “My wife’s got like a switch in her brain where when she’s not on the clock, she is off, she is not thinking about tennis or business or fashion or anything. It’s date night or it’s Olympia time. It’s like it is off. I’m certain that is a muscle she’s had exercised her entire career.”
Serena Williams, from the moment she started playing tennis until her retirement, lived a life centered around the sport.
Like any other professional athlete, if you want to be the best, you have to make certain sacrifices so that the effort pays off.
Now, Serena is a full-time mom and entrepreneur. She also makes epic Super Bowl appearances and stays incredibly busy in every possible way. That’s why a break was necessary, so she grabbed her bikinis and joined her friends for a few hours of relaxation in the sun.
The beach is the perfect escape for a well-earned break, and that’s exactly how Serena Williams chose to unwind-soaking up the sun in a bikini and embracing some well-deserved relaxation. But it wasn’t just her dreamy getaway that had fans talking-everyone couldn’t help but notice how incredibly toned and strong her arms look, proving she’s still in peak form.
Despite juggling multiple business ventures, Serena admits that taking time off isn’t easy for her. After years of a fast-paced, commitment-filled lifestyle, slowing down doesn’t come naturally. But as a true champion, she knows that rest is just as vital as training-because a strong body thrives on a balanced mind.
Even in her moments of relaxation, Serena carries that signature confidence and discipline that made her a legend on the court. Whether she’s dominating in business, spending quality time with her family, or just enjoying a little sunshine, she does it with the same energy and pa that defined her career. Fans love seeing this side of her, unfiltered, and still inspiring in every way.
And while she may not be chasing Grand Slam titles anymore, Serena is still setting an example. She’s proving that even the most driven, hardworking individuals deserve to hit pause and enjoy life. Whether it’s a beach day with friends or a quiet moment to recharge, she reminds us all that balance is key. Because at the end of the day, true greatness isn’t just about winning-it’s about knowing when to push forward and when to simply soak it all in.
