Tennis icon Serena Williams recently captured widespread attention by sharing a series of stunning photos of herself in a blue swimsuit, powerfully reaffirming her long-standing commitment to body positivity and self-love. The images, which quickly went viral, showcase Williams confidently embracing her athletic and strong physique during a luxurious yacht getaway with friends.
The captivating photos feature Williams in a baby blue bikini and a matching sarong, striking various poses on a mega yacht. In one particular shot, she can be seen in a blue bikini top and lavender bottoms, highlighting her impressive six-pack, with another image displaying her sculpted legs and defined arms. The swimwear, identified as the Cala Roja Top and Byron Bottom in azure crinkle from Monday Swimwear, paired with a matching Palermo Skirt, quickly garnered praise from fans and even the brand itself.
A Celebration of Summer and Self-Love
Williams captioned her Instagram post, “Me and my girls… are out in the streets tonight. But we starting here,” indicating a relaxed, vacation atmosphere. This latest display of confidence aligns with Williams’ consistent message of embracing one’s body, regardless of societal expectations. Her followers flooded the comments with positive reactions, calling her a “goddess of the sea” and “a true queen on and off the court!”
The images not only celebrated the start of summer and swimsuit season but also reinforced Williams’ role as a powerful advocate for diverse body types.
Serena’s Enduring Message of Body Positivity
This isn’t the first time Serena Williams has used her platform to champion body positivity. She has been a vocal advocate throughout her career, particularly as a Black woman in the predominantly white and male-dominated world of tennis, where her muscular and voluptuous figure has often been scrutinized.
Overcoming Body Shaming
Williams has openly discussed the body shaming she has faced, including being called “man” or told she belonged in men’s sports because of her strength. In a 2017 letter to her mother, shared on Reddit, she expressed gratitude for her “badass body” and emphasized that “we don’t all look the same. We are curvy, strong, muscular, tall, small, just to name a few, and all the same: We are women and proud!”
She has consistently rebuffed the notion that women’s bodies must conform to a single “picture-perfect” ideal. Williams told British Vogue in 2020 that she grew up “without positive body image” and struggled to accept her physique. However, she ultimately came to appreciate how her body enabled her illustrious career.
Postpartum Body Acceptance
More recently, Williams has shared her journey of postpartum body acceptance after giving birth to her second daughter, Adira, in August 2023. In a February 2024 Instagram post featuring her in a white bikini with baby Adira, she wrote, “Loving yourself is essential,” adding, “I love that my body is not picture perfect. I love that I smell like milk – that milk sustains Adira Ohanian. I love getting to know a new version of my body.” This raw and honest approach to the changes her body has undergone resonates with many mothers, further solidifying her message of self-love through all stages of life.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Williams is not only a personal example but also actively teaches her daughters, Olympia and Adira, about body positivity. She emphasizes the importance of loving who they are and what they look like, and encourages them to compliment others, fostering a culture of positivity from a young age.
Through her candid photos and powerful statements, Serena Williams continues to be a driving force in redefining beauty standards, proving that strength, confidence, and self-acceptance are truly fashion-forward.
