Serena Williams takes down hecklers for all of womankind

"I'm kind of doing this for me a little too, on the low."
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Unfortunately we live in a world where women in sports, no matter how skilled and celebrated they may be, still have to deal with the occasional side serving of discrimination or objectification. 

In a new video for Glamour, an exasperated Serena Williams effectively shuts down a slew of annoying comments by pelting a heckler named Alec with tennis balls. 

Just another day of practice. 


You May Also Like



"I'm doing this for all womenkind, and I'm kind of doing this for me a little too, on the low," Williams says. 

"You're really talented—for a girl," is the first remark.

*SMACK*

"You should smile more!"

*SMACK*

And so on and so forth.  

This is not the first time Williams has called attention to the questions or comments she's received. In 2015, Williams shut down a reporter who asked her why she wasn't smiling. She did not actually pelt this particular reporter with tennis balls, but regardless, it's exhilarating to hear her candid commentary as she calls out double standards in sports. 

In a speech accepting the Sports Illustrated’s 2015 Sportsperson of the Year award, Williams addressed these comments: 

I’ve had people look down on me. I’ve had people put me down because I didn’t look like them—I look stronger. I’ve had people look past me because of the color of my skin. I’ve had people overlook me because I was a woman. I had critics say I will never win another grand slam when I was only at number seven and now here I stand today with 21 grand slam titles and I’m still going.

Did you hear that, hecklers? She's still going. 

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.


Topics Celebrities

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
'Heated Rivalry's Hudson Williams teases Season 2, explains 'c*ck sock' to Fallon
Hudson Williams and Jimmy Fallon on all fours facing each other on 'The Tonight Show.'

'Wonder Man' review: All hail the MCU's latest bromance
Ben Kingsley and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in "Wonder Man."

Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams, and Seventeen's Joshua are the Golden Globes' most viral meet-cute
A side-by-side image of Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams presenting at the Golden Globes and Joshua Hong on the red carpet


How to watch 'Love Island: All Stars' online for free
Love Island promotional shot

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.


NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!