Serena Williams is the GOAT of women’s tennis. She’s won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of the modern era. And she did so with one of the most muscular feminine physiques ever seen on a Wimbledon court. As Williams, in her words, “evolves away” from competitive tennis, The Barbell salutes her incredible career and physique with her best motivational quotes, able to inspire you in the gym, on the court, and everywhere else.
“Think of all the girls who could become top athletes but quit sports because they’re afraid of having too many defined muscles and being made fun of or called unattractive.”
“I don’t like to lose, at anything, yet I’ve grown most not from victories, but setbacks. If winning is God’s reward, then losing is how He teaches us.”
“I am lucky that whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger.”
“With a defeat, when you lose, you get up, you make it better, you try again. That’s what I do in life, when I get down, when I get sick, I don’t want to just stop. I keep going and I try to do more. Everyone always says never give up but you really have to take that to heart and really do never definitely give up. Keep trying.”
“You can be whatever size you are, and you can be beautiful both inside and out. We’re always told what’s beautiful and what’s not, and that’s not right.”
“I always believe I can beat the best, achieve the best. I always see myself in the top position.”
“You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.”
“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.”
“Everyone’s dream can come true if you just stick to it and work hard.”
“If Plan A isn’t working, I have Plan B, Plan C, and even Plan D.”
“I’m a perfectionist. I’m pretty much insatiable. I feel there’s so many things I can improve on.”
“Don’t let anyone work harder than you do.”
“To this day, I don’t love my arms. People want more fit arms, but my arms are too fit. But I’m not complaining. They pay my bills.”
“If I don’t get it right, I don’t stop until I do.”
“Since I don’t look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that, to be different. But different is good.”
“Overpower. Overtake. Overcome.”
“I’ve learned to love me. I’ve been like this my whole life and I embrace me. I love how I look. I am a full woman and I’m strong, and I’m powerful, and I’m beautiful at the same time.”
“Everything comes at a cost. Just what are you willing to pay for it?”
“Luck has nothing to do with it, because I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time, not knowing when it would come.”
“I think in life you should work on yourself until the day you die.”
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