Serena Williams
An up-close-and-personal chat with Serena Williams, as she opens up about mental health and how she found her match in Audemars Piguet.
Could you share with us your take on mental wellbeing for today’s athletes? Do you have any pointers for aspiring athletes entering the competitive sporting world? Sport is not easy—nothing is easy, if you want to be the best. But it’s important to know that working hard, not giving up, speaking up and taking care of yourself are super important. We are living in a world where we must love ourselves more than anyone else. And we must understand that no one will [fully understand us]. So, it’s important that experienced and upcoming athletes really take care of their physical and, more importantly, their mental well-being.
What words of advice would you give people who need to stay positive and healthy in a high-pressure environment or situation?
Staying positive is easier said than done. I know I have faced many challenges, and staying positive through them all is not always possible. But it’s important to channel anything negative and look at the bigger picture. I think today we live in a world where most situations can always be worse. I just think having perspective is very important.
What or who empowers you? This may sound like a cliché but it’s important to inspire and empower yourself. You can feel empowered by so many people, but if you can look into your own soul and empower yourself, that becomes a game changer. So, a lot of things actually empower me, but I try to empower myself and that’s the only way to get through harder situations or those that we don’t expect.
If there’s one thing about you or your platform that can empower or inspire others, what would it be?
I am so grateful to know that people can feel that I am powered down. One thing that I would say as always—be yourself, be respectful and always look out for your neighbour and the person next to you, and be humble. That’s the only way that we should all live our lives—by being respectful to each other. And that is the most empowering [thing]; that’s true empowerment.
Of all the watch brands in the luxury industry, why did you choose to work with Audemars Piguet, and what was it about the brand that spoke to you?
I have never met a brand that is so in touch with its beliefs—one that is always striving for equality. It’s very difficult to find that in the luxury industry. But this is the true meaning of equality.
Quite frankly, when I first met with Audemars Piguet, I was blown away by their message and how I was treated—not for all I am or for what I have done in my industry, but just from a super honest place. I’ve never met a more authentic brand, and I fell in love.