Serena Williams

On today’s edition of Sports Court, Augarius will give his thoughts on the Knicks comeback victory over the Spurs during game 1 of the NBA Finals. He will also explain why it’s important for San Antonio to develop a better defensive plan for moments when Wemby isn’t on the floor. Next, Augarius will give his thoughts on Serena Williams’s return to professional tennis after a nearly four year break. He will also discuss Scottie Scheffler’s meltdown at Memorial, Christian Watson’s extension with Green Bay, and so much more. In today’s Final Verdict, Augarius will unpack Nick Saban’s testimony on Capitol Hill pertaining to the future of college athletics in the era of NIL and the transfer portal. Email: SportsCourtPod00@gmail.com X/Twitter: @SportsCourtPod00 Music used for this podcast was provided by Pixabay. Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the show with family and friends. Thanks for listening!

C’est un incroyable comeback à 44 ans: celui de la joueuse Serena Williams : L’Américaine va reprendre la compétition à l’occasion du tournoi de tennis sur gazon du Queen’s, où elle jouera le double. Elle était absente du circuit depuis l’US Open 2022. C’est un retour très attendu pour la légende américaine aux 73 titres, dont 23 en Grand Chelem. Elle a également remporté 14 titres majeurs en double dames avec sa sœur Venus et 4 médailles d'or olympiques. Elle a aussi une longévité exceptionnelle dans la compétition: Oui, elle est restée numéro un mondiale pendant 319 semaines et a remporté son dernier titre du Grand Chelem à l'Open d'Australie en 2017... alors qu'elle était enceinte de plusieurs semaines ! Serena Williams naît le 26 septembre 1981 dans le Michigan aux Etats-Unis Elle est initiée au tennis par son père Richard sur les courts difficiles de Compton en Californie, elle gravit les échelons en brisant les codes de ce sport traditionnellement élitiste et blanc. Serena et sa sœur Venus se découvrent très tôt un véritable talent pour le tennis. Les deux jeunes femmes s’entraînent durement et se hissent toutes deux au rang des meilleures joueuses mondiales. Quatre fois médaille d’or aux Jeux olympiques, Serena est l’une des plus grandes joueuses de tennis de l’histoire, aux côtés de Steffi Graff et de Monica Seles. La jeune femme participe en parallèle à l’évolution des mœurs de ce sport en arborant des tenues colorées et sexy. C’est donc naturellement que plusieurs marques lui proposent de multiples collaborations. Serena, c’est aussi une icône en dehors des courts. Elle est une femme d'affaires influente (à la tête de sa marque de capital-risque Serena Ventures et de sa ligne de vêtements S by Serena). L’Américaine a aussi essuyé beaucoup de critiques, notamment sur son physique. « C’était difficile parce qu’à mes débuts mon corps était différent, dit- elle. J’avais une forte poitrine, des fesses volumineuses. Toutes les autres athlètes étaient plates, très fines et belles, chacune à sa manière. Et en tant qu’athlète, je ne savais pas comment gérer cela. », décrit Serena Williams. Toutes ces critiques subies ont eu un réel impact psychologique pour elle. Serena Williams, c’est aussi une maman et une philanthrope Elle s'est toujours engagée pour l'égalité salariale et la justice sociale. Serena Williams est mariée à Alexis Ohanian, fondateur du site Reddit, ensemble ils ont deux filles : Alexis Olympia, 9 ans et Adira River, 3 ans. L’américaine utilise aussi sa notoriété pour soutenir de nombreuses causes caritatives. Elle s'est ouverte sur ses combats personnels, notamment ses complications médicales lors de ses accouchements. Elle vient également de lancer un podcast avec sa sœur, Venus, qui s’appelle ‘Stockton Street’. Référence à leur maison d’enfance. Elle met un terme à sa carrière sportive en septembre 2022 après le tournoi de l'US Open... Et elle fera donc son grand come-back au tournoi du Queen’s, qui démarre la semaine prochaine se jouera du 8 au 14 juin.

Three tennis fans turned friends turned podcasters discuss if there's anything to those Serena Williams return from retirement rumours. She has re-entered the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) doping testing pool which all active players are required to be a part of. Serena also appeared in a #Superbowl ad promoting telehealth company Ro and weightloss medication #Zepbound. The pod discusses if there is an obvious performance enhancing element to taking weight loss medication and share their views on #WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). + the #MiamiOpen, #SunshineDouble is underway. The pod discusses the latest results and preview the next episode. ⏰ *TIMESTAMPS:* 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode 01:11 Serena Williams' Retirement and Speculation of Return 02:37 Venus Williams Retirement Speculation 04:01 Anti-Doping Testing Obligations for Active Players 04:52 Tennis Doping Cases in 2025 06:00 Serena's Recent Controvertial Promotion of GLP-1 Drug 08:53 Should GLP-1 Drugs Be Banned By WADA? 10:49 The Complexity of Anti-Doping Policies 16:02 Serena's Competitiveness Returning to Tennis 17:07 Comparative Analysis of Player Returns from Retirement 18:05 Statistics Highlighting Serena Williams' Legacy 20:29 Personal Stories at Wimbledon Watching Serena And Others 23:52 Miami Open 2026 Results 28:34 Tennis & Formula One Cross-Over Continues 30:09 Does The Pod Want A Break From Serena's Return From Retirement Speculation? 34:50 Closing Thoughts 35:18 Previewing Next Epsiode On Miami Open 2026 🎾Like & Subscribe on YouTube / @givemeabreakpointcast 🎾Follow on Instagram / @givemeabreakpointcast 👉 Drop a comment to share your thoughts on Serena Williams return from retirement speculation. #tennis #tennisfans #serenawilliams #veruswilliams #sinner #alcaraz

Bienvenue sur Quare, le podcast éducatif pour les enfants, petits et grands . Aujourd’hui, dans la catégorie Sport, l’épisode est consacré à Serena Williams. Qui est Serena Williams ? C’est une légende du tennis, souvent considérée comme la plus grande joueuse de tous les temps ! Elle est née en 1981, dans le Michigan, aux États-Unis. Avec sa sœur Venus, elle a révolutionné le tennis féminin. Quelles étaient ses forces ? Sa puissance et son mental d’acier. Son service dévastateur a été mesuré à 207 km/h. Sa force de caractère et sa résilience lui ont permis de remporter de nombreux tournois et d’avoir une longévité exceptionnelle. Comment ça ? Elle a été professionnelle pendant 27 ans au plus haut niveau. Impressionnant ! Son palmarès doit l’être aussi ? Oui, elle a remporté 23 titres du Grand Chelem en simple, 14 en double dames et 2 en double mixte, ce qui fait d’elle la seule joueuse à avoir réalisé un "Grand Chelem d’or" en carrière, en simple et en double ! Seule Margaret Court a obtenu plus de succès en simples mais c’était avant l’ère Open, l’ère professionnelle. Elle a aussi été championne olympique en 2012 à Londres. Comment a-t-elle commencé ? Serena a grandi dans un quartier difficile de Compton, en Californie, où la violence était fréquente. Son père, Richard Williams, a décidé de lui apprendre le tennis très jeune, avec sa sœur Venus, sur des courts publics souvent en mauvais état. Il avait même écrit un plan de 78 pages pour faire d’elles des championnes ! Ca semble avoir bien fonctionné ! Oui, parce que, malgré les moqueries et les difficultés, Serena a travaillé sans relâche. À 14 ans, elle est devenue professionnelle, et à 17 ans, elle a gagné son premier Grand Chelem : l’US Open 1999. Son parcours montre que la détermination peut vaincre tous les obstacles. Qui l’a inspirée ? Surtout son père et sa sœur Venus, qui a aussi un palmarès exceptionnel. Elles ont toujours été très proches, s’entraînant ensemble et se soutenant dans les moments difficiles. Venus a même dit un jour : "Serena est ma meilleure amie, ma rivale et ma plus grande fan." En dehors de sa famille, Serena admire aussi des figures comme Althea Gibson, la première joueuse noire à remporter un titre du Grand Chelem, qui a ouvert la voie aux athlètes comme elle. Et ses entraîneurs ? Après son père, elle a été entraînée par le Français, Patrick Mouratoglou, pendant 10 ans, qui l’a aidée à s’améliorer encore. Qui étaient ses rivales ? La principale était Venus. Elles se sont affrontées 9 fois en finale de Grand Chelem, pour 7 victoires de Serena. Elle a également affronté la Belge Justine Henin, la Russe Maria Sharapova et la Suissesse Martina Hingis. Elle a connu des difficultés ? Oui, elle a fait notamment une embolie pulmonaire en 2011 qui a failli mettre fin à sa carrière. Elle a aussi subi des critiques et du racisme tout au long de sa vie, notamment sur son physique ou son comportement sur le court. Qu’est-ce que ses détracteurs lui reprochaient ? Certains lui reprochaient son tempérament explosif, comme lors de l’US Open 2018 où elle a accusé l’arbitre de vol après une pénalité. D’autres critiquaient son style de jeu, trop physique selon eux, ou son influence sur le tennis féminin. Ils la trouvaient parfois trop dominante. Et en dehors du tennis ? www.quare.club Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Serena Williams is an iconic tennis player recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time. In this captivating episode we delve into Serena's inspiring journey from a world-renowned athlete to a successful entrepreneur. Amidst sharing tennis tips and recounting legendary on-court moments, Serena opens up about the immense power of belief instilled by her parents and the critical role of self-confidence in her life. Transitioning from sports to the boardroom, Serena discusses the evolution of her leadership style and the strategic vision behind Serena Ventures, her investment firm championing underrepresented entrepreneurs. Serena emphasizes the importance of leadership and building the right team as she recounts her days of leading on the tennis court and in her business ventures. Drawing parallels between athleticism and entrepreneurship, Serena shares insightful advice for early-stage entrepreneurs, underscoring the value of intuition, perseverance, and continuous learning. With candid reflections on sibling rivalry, teamwork, and her passion for being a mom, Serena paints a vivid picture of resilience and success, offering listeners invaluable lessons on achieving their dreams. Key Takeaways: The power of self-belief is crucial for success, as highlighted by Serena's upbringing under the guidance of her parents. Transitioning from sports to business requires evolving leadership skills and building strong teams. Entrepreneurs can learn from athletes by understanding the importance of support systems and strategic teams. Trusting your gut in hiring and firing decisions is fundamental for sustaining growth and fostering a productive business environment. Continuous effort, without expecting immediate results, is essential for achieving long-term goals. Notable Quotes: "Belief is important and I think believing in yourself is important… at the end of the day, in particular as an athlete in a solo sport, you really need that self-belief." "Leadership is so important. Leaders lead." "You have to believe. You have to keep testing. You have to keep hiring. That's why I say hire slow but fire fast." "Words are words, but words are followed by actions." "Athletes make great business people…they make you act harder, they make you work harder, they make you dream more." Connect with Serena Williams: Website Instagram X Connect with Rudy Mawer: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter <

Serena Williams grandit à Compton, un quartier dangereux de Los Angeles. Son père Richard a de grandes ambitions pour elle et sa grande soeur Venus : devenir des championnes de tennis. Dès ses 3 ans, Serena tape des balles sur le terrain de tennis abandonné du quartier avant de déménager en Floride pour être entrainé par les meilleurs entraineurs du monde. Mais comment prendre sa place quand on est dans l'ombre de sa grande soeur Venus sur qui tout le monde mise et qui réussit tout ? Tu as aimé cet épisode ? Aide-moi à INSPIRER encore plus de jeunes générations : 💜 Rejoins le groupe Whatsapp pour recevoir en exclu les dernières nouveautés et prochaines rencontres 💜 Parles-en autour de toi, à ton collège, au sport, dans le bus, dans le train en partageant l'épisode sur les réseaux sociaux 💜 Laisse 5 étoiles et un avis sur Apple Podcast et Spotify 💜 Commande le livre Nouvelles Héroïnes (Larousse Jeunesse) 👋 Je suis Céline Steyer, née avec une agénésie de la main gauche, maman de deux petites filles, engagée pour l’empowerment des filles, la diversité et l'inclusion ! Crédits : Nouvelles Héroïnes ©️ tous droits réservés. Cette histoire a été imaginée et écrite par Céline Steyer , créatrice de podcasts engagée, d'après l'histoire vraie de Serena Williams Voix : Céline Steyer (narratrice) et toutes les petites voix qui composent le générique du podcast 💜 Enregistrement, mix : STUDIO MODULE Dans cette histoire, on parle de l'enfance de Serena à Compton et les premières balles sur les terrains de tennis, l’entraînement intensif et la méthode Williams, Vénus sur le devant de la scène, Serena en quête de reconnaissance, le déménagement en Floride et l’importance du sacrifice, les premières victoires de Serena et la gestion de l’argent, son entrée dans la cour des grandes : premiers tournois majeurs, Serena et Vénus, des soeurs adversaires à Roland-Garros, la victoire de Serena et sa propre renaissance, des multiples succès, blessures et drames, les années de domination, records et engagement, l’après-tennis, l’empowerment, et l’impact de Serena, des conseils aux jeunes joueuses et analyse du jeu de Serena Williams. Si tu aimes les podcasts SOS BFF par Julie 12 ans, Curieux de Sciences, Les Odyssées, Scandales, le podcast Nouvelles Héroïnes devrait te plaire… encore plus 💜 Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Serena Williams – The Queen of Tennis Dominance: How Serena Rewrote History with Power, Precision, and Mentality https://youtu.be/yHy2BCRhmL8 When the annals of tennis are scoured for the game’s most formidable figures, one name stands out with an almost mythic resonance: Serena Williams. Her journey from the public courts of Compton to the lush lawns of Wimbledon is not just a story of sporting achievement but a saga of overcoming odds, shattering barriers, and redefining the essence of dominance in professional tennis. The Formative Years: Building a Champion Era of Dominance: The Stats Speak Game Style: Power and Precision Mental Fortitude: The Mind of a Champion Beyond the Court: Impact and Legacy Fan Take: Debating Serena’s Place in Tennis History The Formative Years: Building a Champion From the outset, Serena’s path was carved with relentless ambition and an unyielding work ethic, instilled by her father and coach, Richard Williams. Alongside her sister Venus, Serena was not merely playing the game; she was preparing to dominate it. Her professional debut in 1995 at the age of 14 was just a glimpse of what was to come. Era of Dominance: The Stats Speak With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any player in the Open Era, Serena’s stats are a testament to her dominance. Each victory was not just a win but a statement. Her record of 319 weeks at World No. 1 speaks volumes of her consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Grand Slam Singles Titles: 23 Weeks at No. 1: 319 Olympic Gold Medals: 4 Game Style: Power and Precision Serena’s game is a blend of raw power and meticulous precision. Her serve, often described as one of the best in the history of tennis, combines ferocious speed with pinpoint accuracy. Her groundstrokes, laden with depth and force, allow her to dictate rallies and overpower opponents. Mental Fortitude: The Mind of a Champion What truly sets Serena apart is her mental toughness. In matches where the physical aspects were evenly matched, it was her mental strength that tipped the scales in her favor. Her ability to stay composed under pressure and her relentless pursuit of victory have been pivotal in her career. Beyond the Court: Impact and Legacy Serena’s influence transcends the boundaries of tennis courts. She has been a powerful advocate for women’s rights and racial equality, using her platform to speak out on issues that matter. Her legacy is not just shaped by her victories but also by her commitment to social change. Explore Serena’s off-court initiatives on her official website SerenaWilliams.com . Fan Take: Debating Serena’s Place in Tennis History While many hail Serena as the greatest of all time, others debate her place in the pantheon of tennis legends. Comparisons with past greats like Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova are common among tennis aficionados. However, the

What does it take to rise from humble beginnings, dominate a global sport, and build a legacy that transcends the game? Serena Williams isn’t just one of the greatest athletes of all time—she’s a symbol of resilience, self-belief, and relentless determination. From learning tennis on the cracked courts of Compton to becoming a 23-time Grand Slam champion, her journey is a testament to discipline, innovation, and the power of mindset. In On the Line , Serena takes us through her remarkable rise, her struggles with pressure, mental health, and identity, and how she transformed both herself and the sport of tennis. Join Dr. Duncan Simpson and Dr. Greg Young as they break down the mindset, strategies, and habits that made Serena Williams one of the most dominant figures in sports history. Serena’s story is packed with lessons on resilience, ambition, and personal reinvention. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or someone navigating life’s challenges, this episode will leave you inspired to own your journey and chase greatness on your own terms. 🔥 Don’t miss this deep dive into the GOAT’s journey. Hit play now! 🏆 How she turned criticism and doubt into fuel for success🧠 The mental tactics that kept her dominant for two decades 💥 What her rivalry with Venus reveals about competition and growth Listen on Spotify: ⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠⁠ Listen on Apple: ⁠ ⁠Apple⁠⁠ Watch & Listen on YouTube: ⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Buy the book: On The Line Socials: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠ - @Performerspod ⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/performerspod/⁠⁠ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@performers.pod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc ⁠⁠Linkedin - Duncan⁠ Simpson⁠ ⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-simpson-ph-d-cmpc-76244b1a/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Linkedin - Greg Young⁠ ⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-young-ph-d-cmpc-64765a35/⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 The Early Days of Tennis 00:38 Serena Williams: A Legacy of Accomplishments 02:47 The Role of Family in Serena's Journey 05:12 Overcoming Adversity: The Williams Sisters' Upbringing 07:27 The Importance of Discipline and Self-Motivation 10:00 The Impact of Sibling Rivalry 12:17 Finding Strength in Competition 14:35 Lessons from Humble Beginnings 16:51 Creating a Positive Training Environment 19:30 The Balance of Commitment and Burnout 22:00 Personal Growth and Character Development 24:21 The Dynamic Between Venus and Serena Williams 28:10 Sibling Rivalries in Sports 28:57 The Move to Florida: A New Beginning 30:51 Training with a Purpose: The Williams Sisters' Development 33:32 Balancing Pressure and Freedom in Sports 35:47 The Role of Parental Influence 36:47 Creating Boundaries: Work and Life Separation 39:38 Transitioning from Fun to Competition 41:29 The Shift to Becoming Champions 45:52 Finding Identity Beyond Venus 50:15 The Power of Self-Presentation 52:19 Life's Unexpected Turns: 9/11 and

As we celebrate Black Excellence this month, Serena Williams is the perfect feature for our Billion Dollar Moves CEO Series, where we unpack the strategic plays behind the world’s most iconic leaders. Serena Williams is more than a tennis legend—she’s a blueprint for reinvention, resilience, and generational impact. With 23 Grand Slam titles, four Olympic gold medals, and a net worth exceeding $340 million, Serena’s dominance on the court is undeniable. But here’s the real game-changer: only $95 million of that fortune came from tennis. The rest? Built through strategic investments, brand partnerships, and a deep commitment to empowering the next generation. From breaking barriers in a country-club sport to becoming a powerhouse in business and venture capital, Serena has mastered the art of winning—both in sport and in wealth creation. Let's dive in to her #BillionDollarMoves! Timestamps/Key Takeaways 0:00 - Intro 04:46 - Key Takeaway #1: Owning Who You Are, Your Trajectory & Staying The Course 10:08 - Key Takeaway #2: Unbreakable Resilience: Rising from Adversity 16:13 - Key Takeaway #3: The Business of Serena: From Court to Commerce— You Are Your Biggest Product 20:26 - Key Takeaway #4: Investing with Purpose 26:49 - Key Takeaway #5: Reclaiming Joy, Redefining Power at your own pace 29:10 - Recap: Serena William’s Billion Dollar Moves ABOUT SERENA WILLIAMS Serena Williams is widely regarded as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time, with 23 Grand Slam titles and an unmatched legacy in the sport. Beyond tennis, Serena has built an empire that extends into business, fashion, and philanthropy. She founded Serena Ventures, investing in women- and minority-led businesses, and has used her platform to advocate for gender equity in sports and maternal healthcare awareness. Her impact led to changes in WTA ranking policies for mothers returning to the sport, and her personal journey—from overcoming injuries to becoming a mother and business leader—continues to inspire generations. FOLLOW SERENA: https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/ https://x.com/serenawilliams https://www.youtube.com/@SerenaWilliams Resource: The BoF Podcast | Serena Williams: ‘Pressure Is a Privilege’ The Story Behind Serena Williams | the Score Serena Williams’ opening monologue for The 2024 ESPYS What Serena Williams Gave the World | TIME Serena Ventures Raises $111 Million to Invest in Diversity | Amanpour and Company Life after tennis: Serena Williams on business ventures, family and her farm Serena (2016) | Full Documentary | Universal Documentaries Game, Set, Legacy: Serena Williams on Her Impact in Sports and Beyond #SerenaSaturday with Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative <a href="https://www

WHEN WOMEN ARE DIFFERNT THEY ARE DRAGGED. SHOULD PEOPLE LEAVE SERENA ALONE? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS Serena Williams' Superbowl Crip Walk: Breaking Barriers with Style and Spirit Serena Williams, the tennis legend known for her unparalleled athleticism, has always been a trendsetter, both on and off the court. But her appearance at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show brought an unexpected moment of celebration that left fans buzzing: a flawless Crip Walk. While we’ve seen athletes and entertainers merge their talents with music, Serena’s move was unique—not just for its flawless execution, but for its cultural significance and the way it tapped into her broader influence. The Crip Walk, a dance move with origins in West Coast hip-hop culture, is associated with confidence, defiance, and style. It's also been linked to various communities in Los Angeles, but Serena's take on it brought it to a whole new, widely visible stage. The Moment That Stood Out During the star-studded halftime show, as fans around the world tuned in, the camera panned to Serena as she confidently strutted onto the stage, her athletic frame glowing in the spotlight. She had been a fan favorite for years, but this was a different side of her. With a subtle but unmistakable hop and quick footwork, Serena flawlessly executed the Crip Walk, effortlessly blending athleticism with rhythm and street culture. While the move has been seen in music videos, movies, and among celebrities like Snoop Dogg, for an athlete of Serena's caliber, this performance was groundbreaking. Not only did it speak to her confidence in pushing boundaries, but it also highlighted her understanding of how culture intersects with sports. Breaking Stereotypes Serena’s Crip Walk was more than just a dance—it was a statement. Throughout her career, Serena has dealt with scrutiny, especially as a Black woman in a sport that has often been dominated by individuals who don’t look like her. Her boldness has been her strength, as she’s refused to adhere to the stereotypical expectations of athletes or women in sports. By participating in a moment so tightly connected to hip-hop culture, she solidified her position as a cultural icon, not just a tennis star. Her actions in the Super Bowl proved that athletes don’t have to stay confined to the boundaries of their respective sports. In embracing something that wasn’t only about athletics but culture itself, Serena showed her fans and the world that embracing one's roots and expressing individuality should always be celebrated. Empowering a Generation In 2025, it’s clear that culture and sports have become more intertwined than ever before. Athletes like Serena Williams, LeBron James, and Naomi Osaka use their platforms to engage in conversations that transcend sport and delve into matters of identity, social justice, and culture. Serena’s Crip Walk wasn’t just about a cool move—it was about empowering a generation of people to embrace who they are, where they come from, and to proudly express themselves in spaces where they may not traditionally feel represented. The Impact on Fans For fans, it wasn’t just the Crip Walk itself that stood out—it was the fact that Serena felt comfortable enough to do it. So often, athletes are placed in boxes of "professionalism," expected to toe the line and fit a mold that others create for them. Serena defied that mold, showing everyone that she can be multifaceted and unapologetically herself. In doing so, she reminded us all that we can break barriers, be proud of who we are, and push the limits of what we thought was possible. In the grand scheme of thi

In the Arena: Serena Williams is the second season of the ESPN+ documentary series. Through a series of intimate interviews with Williams and others, the show offers an in-depth look at the legendary tennis player's life and career. Cinematographer Ayana Baraka was the director of photography for the entire 8-episode series. She met with the production company, Religion of Sports, with her images and pitch prepared. “We had the same ideas about lighting. I was familiar with (Season 1 of the series) Man in the Arena: Tom Brady and so I know that we wanted to honor season one, but at the same time Serena is a a different person, a different athlete.” A few weeks later, Ayana was called to meet with Serena for lunch. It was very nerve wracking, but she felt confident in the meeting. Once she was hired, Ayana researched and tested all the equipment she wanted to use. She selected the ARRI ALEXA LF with Cooke Anamorphic lenses. Illuminating Serena properly for the sit-down interviews was extremely important to her. She created custom LUTs for Serena's skin to bring out her pinkish undertones. The falloff of the light from the backdrop also had to be just right. Ayana used rags (different thicknesses of fabric diffusion to modify light) and bounced the light for a 180-degree lighting setup. To set each episode apart, Ayana changed up the lighting slightly. Growing up in New Jersey, Ayana initially went into the health care industry. While in college, she took a film class and made a short documentary about a person struggling with their mental health. Ayana pursued her career in health care, but didn't feel like she was changing lives the way she wanted to. She started getting film jobs in New York and became an ARRI prep tech, which enabled her to learn the technical aspects of camera work and test into the IATSE Local 600, the International Cinematographer's Guild. Ayana felt she wanted to learn more about film and storytelling, so she went to graduate school at USC. As a woman of color, she felt that director Ryan Coogler, who was a recent graduate of the program, had opened up a world of opportunity. “We have the success of Ryan Coogler, and I know it was different for people who came before me, people of color or black folks. My class, it was so diverse. And I think it was because he let that charge and he showed we have stories to tell, and people will watch our stories.” Ayana also shot the documentary Uncharted, about singer Alicia Keys' She Is the Music songwriting camp. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last year and is currently on the film festival circuit. In the Arena: Serena Williams is available on ESPN+ and Hulu. Find Ayana Baraka: http://www.ayanabaraka.com/ Instagram @iseeflicks Sponsored by Hot Rod Cameras www.hotrodcameras.com The Cinematography Podcast website: www.camnoir.com Facebook: @cinepod Instagram: @thecinepod Twitter: @ShortEndz The post Illuminating In The Arena: Serena Williams with DP Ayana Baraka first appeared on Cam Noir .

Welcome to our #232 weekly newsletter. “For women taking control of their financial future” -Jana Hlistova From The Purse In this week’s newsletter, we focus on tennis star Serena Williams and her venture firm which has invested in 85 startups, 14 of which have since achieved unicorn status. *** And you can review the news in brief so you stay on top of global financial, economic and investing trends. I hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter. Until next week, Jana Tennis star Serena Williams invests in 14 unicorns Serena Ventures funds female and diverse founders in underserved and underfunded markets. Out of 85 investments, 14 startups have achieved unicorn status. It's a good idea to have a 'Plan B'. In the case of Serena Williams, considered one the greatest tennis players of all time, setting up a venture capital fund was it. Aptly named "Serena Ventures" , her VC firm is on a mission to champion diverse, creative founders who are changing the world with their ideas and products across a wide array of industries. And as she told us in her Tik Tok video recently, 14 of the companies she invested in have reached unicorn status ie they are valued at $1bn+, since she launched the fund in 2014. Today, Serena's VC firm has invested in 85 startups , 79% are underrepresented founders, 54% are women, 47% at Black and 11% are Latinx. Less than 2% of VC funding goes to women... ... even though women make up more than 50% of the global population, make 85% of all consumer purchasing decisions and tend to be the CFO of their household. In other words, there is an entire economy which mostly white male VC investors are ignoring, oftentimes addressed by the products and services introduced by female and diverse founders. But wait for it, this VC statistic is even more dire for black women: in 2021, 0.34% of VC money was directed to their startups. And this figure increased only marginally from 0.27% in 2018. In an op-ed published in 2020 on the CNN website, Serena commented: “Without the network necessary to raise critical starting capital, most Black female founders close shop before their product even reaches the market. By building exclusive spaces and systems, we are missing out on the innovation and genius of so many..” Silicon Valley, therefore, does not have a talent pipeline problem; it has a network selectivity and resource allocation problem . Wise words, Serena. But she's not stopping there... Serena has a Plan C, Plan D, Plan... ..On 4 April, she launched a new make-up brand called "Wyn Beauty" you can move in . And she is one of the female investors who backed the US 'Angel City Football Club' (which may now be on sale ) along with other female investors including actress Natalie Portman and retired US football player, Abby Wambach. Even Serena's daughter is a 'co-owner'. Investing in Serena's daughter and her future by setting her up as an investor early, might just be the the Ultimate Plan -we love it! News in Brief Financial news * Iran launched a series of drone strikes on Israeli