Tennis legend Serena Williams, renowned for her 23 Grand Slam singles titles, recently extended her support and advice to WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark. Williams, who retired after the 2022 US Open to focus on her family and other ventures, spoke at the Tribeca Festival about Clark’s burgeoning career in professional basketball.
During a red carpet interview, Williams was asked to share her thoughts on Caitlin Clark. She praised Clark for her grounded approach and advised her to keep focusing on her game rather than social media distractions. Williams emphasized the importance of staying true to oneself amidst external noise and negativity.
Williams pointed out that some of the criticism Clark faces is likely rooted in envy. She encouraged Clark to remain undeterred by naysayers, suggesting that their negativity often stems from their inability to replicate her achievements. Williams believes that Clark’s dedication and talent will continue to shine through if she stays focused.
Clark, a standout rookie for the Indiana Fever, has quickly made a name for herself in the WNBA. Despite facing increased physicality and scrutiny in her early professional games, she has led in multiple statistical categories. Clark acknowledged the tougher competition, noting that opponents often play her more aggressively than others.
However, Clark recently faced a setback when she was not selected for the US women’s national basketball team for the upcoming Olympics. The roster includes prominent players like Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart, but Clark’s omission has sparked discussions about the challenges of making the highly competitive team.
Williams’ words of encouragement come at a crucial time for Clark, who has consistently demonstrated her skill and resilience on the court. With an average of 15.6 points and six assists per game over her first 14 WNBA matches, Clark continues to prove her potential as a formidable player in the league.
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