Rapper Common and tennis icon Serena Williams sat down for a candid talk about sexism and race in the sports world and much more.
On the hour-long ESPN special “The Undefeated In-Depth: Serena with Common,” which aired Sunday night (December 18), the longtime friends and former lovers discussed Williams’ career and body image.
“There was a time where I didn’t feel incredibly comfortable about my body, because I felt like I was too strong,” Williams shared. “And then I had to take a second and think, who says I’m too strong? This body has enabled me to be the greatest player I can be and I’m not going to scrutinize that. This is great. I mean, this is amazing.”
Williams also talked about using her fame for social activism and speaking out against injustice.
“Serena with Common” is the third episode in “The Undefeated” series, which features conversations with black athletes.
Common released his 11th studio album, Black America Again, last month, and Williams appeared in Beyonce’s Lemonade earlier this year.
On whether she should be considered one of the greatest athletes ever, Williams said: “I think, if I were a man, I would’ve been in that conversation a long, long time ago. Like six, seven years ago. Eight years ago … I think being a woman is a whole new set of problems from a society that you have to deal with, as well — and being black. So it’s a lot to deal with. Especially lately, I’ve been able to really, really speak up for women’s rights, as well, because I think that gets lost in color or gets lost in cultures. We are doctors, we are lawyers, we are athletes, we are everything. We are CEOs. Women make up so much of this world.”
Watch the full interview here: