Why Serena Williams Is Still Winning After Losing Her First Game Since Giving Birth
If you thought your 2017 was pretty good, you'll probably find the Year of Serena Williams nothing shy of amazing.
The tennis star won her 23rd Grand Slam (while pregnant!) at the Australian Open, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and married fiancé and Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian. To top the year off, Nike announced in December that one of its newest and biggest headquarter buildings will be named after Ms. Williams herself.
Extending her beast mode, Serena made her way back onto the tennis court to close out the year just three months after the birth of her daughter. The exhibition match played in Abu Dhabi against French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko ended in a loss for Serena after a captivating tie-break.
We've known Serena to be an ultra-competitive creature of pure greatness who doesn't take losing lightly ever since she and big sister Venus made their tennis debut in the 90s. But, the new mom walked away from the match unbothered and optimistic. She said:
"I don't think I'm going to rate my performance. I have plenty of comebacks, from injuries, from surgeries, but I've never had a comeback after actually giving birth to a human being. So, in my eyes, I feel it was a wonderful, wonderful match for me."
As someone who also has a three-month old and often struggles to find time to shower these days, I can say playing in a professional tennis match at all is a win in and of itself. And Serena's attitude towards what could easily be considered a defeating moment is exactly what she and many of us need to be our happiest and healthiest selves.
So often, we find ourselves skipping along a path of perpetual come-ups that becomes suddenly interrupted by a loss, failure, idiot boyfriend, low performance review at work, etc., bringing our world to a saddening halt.
And as women, especially mothers, we subconsciously allow those not-so-awesome moments to overshadow all of the magic we've achieved.
It's crucial to recognize when we become downright too hard on ourselves when a smudge manages to manifest on our picturesque version of life.
I've lost count of how many times I've caught myself chasing "the every area perfect" life trying to keep my relationship, my family, my health and career in infallible tact. I could have total peace in my marriage, be in the best shape ever, have a 12-month streak of no arguing with my mom, but become devastated with a critique at work.
Of course, some level of disappointment in our shortcomings is healthy and certainly motivates us to absolutely slay the next time around, but harping on them is just expending unnecessary energy on a small issue in an overall beautiful state of being and becoming.
Seeing Serena get back to work after giving life gives me life. And seeing her shake off a not-so-perfect performance like plain dust off her shoulders is even more refreshing.
"Knowing that I have won 23 Grand Slam titles and several other titles, I don't think I have anything more left to prove," she said. "But I am not done yet."
"I know that when I come back I definitely want to be competing for championships. I am definitely looking forward to getting back out there. I am taking it one day at a time."
So, she lost her first comeback match? She's in love, enjoying the blessing of a healthy child, and is one of the best tennis players on the planet (not to mention she's practically best friends with Beyoncé).
Her life may not be perfect, and she may not be back in the groove of things career-wise just yet, but Serena is definitely winning in every sense of the word.
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Farren El is a writer, former journalist and lover of all things health and wellness. She's usually where black dopeness, pop culture and comedy collide. Follow her on Twitter @FarrenEl and IG @phreshwishes.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Lizzo Shares Her Views On The Evolution Of 'Body Positivity' Amid Weight Loss Journey
Singer Lizzo is no stranger to transparency when it comes to body image – and as of late, the “Truth Hurts” artist is taking on a new outlook towards the body positivity movement.
In an interview with the New York Times, Lizzo, 35, is discussing her views on the evolution of the popular term, amidst her recent weight loss journey, shifting her focus towards "body neutrality."
“The idea of body positivity, it’s moved away from the antiquated mainstream conception,” she told the publication. “It’s evolved into body neutrality.”
For decades, the body positivity movement has embodied the stance of self-acceptance that advocates for all body types, no matter the size, skin color, shape, or physical abilities. With the rise of social media, the movement took on a new form, encouraging more visibility and representation while challenging beauty standards.
As of late, body neutrality has been embraced as a new approach that puts acceptance and perspective back in the eyes of the beholder. According to Butterfly.org, “Body neutrality suggests that a body is simply a vessel that carries us through life, and is never the most important thing about us,” – neither seen as negative or positive, but simply what we use to live our lives.
Still, Lizzo maintains a confident stance on her body image, although she admits, it wavers from time to time. “I’m not going to lie and say I love my body every day,” she shares. “The bottom line is, the way you feel about your body changes every single day.”
She continued, “There are some days I adore my body, and others when I don’t feel completely positive.”
In 2020, the Yitty founder spoke to Vogue about her aim to redefine what body positivity means to her and in a wider context. “I think it’s lazy for me to just say I’m body positive at this point,” she said. “It’s easy. I would like to be body-normative. I want to normalize my body.”
Lizzo is taking her weight loss and self-care journey one day at a time, by prioritizing her health and exercise through activities like walking and Pilates. “I’m taking the time every day to put some love into my body,” she said. “There is never a day when I regret taking a walk or doing some Pilates.”
She continues, “I’ve been methodical, losing weight very slowly.”
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Featured image by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage