"Too muscly and too masculine, then a week later too racy and too sexy" - When Serena Williams denounced the criticism about her body as a 'big joke'

Serena Williams once made her feelings clear about facing relentless criticism about her appearance, especially regarding her body shape. The American expressed frustration with the intense scrutiny, denouncing the criticism as a "big joke."

Over the course of her illustrious career, Williams won 23 Major singles titles, held the World No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks and completed the coveted career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles. However, despite her historic accomplishments, the American endured constant negative comments about her weight and body shape.

Serena Williams has spoken out about being labeled "a man" and told to compete in men's sports due to her muscular physique, which was in stark contrast to her "slim, model-like" sister Venus Williams.

In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Serena Williams disclosed that she had often been criticized for appearing "too muscly and masculine," only to later be condemned for being "too racy and sexy."

"Too muscly and too masculine, and then a week later too racy and too sexy. So for me it was just really a big joke," Williams said.

Nevertheless, the American shared that she wasn't hurt by all the negativity since the positive comments far outweighed the bad. William also conceded that her looks wouldn't appeal to everyone, emphasizing that what mattered most was that she liked herself.

"For every negative comment, there’s a million good comments. I always say, "Not everyone’s going to like the way I look." Everyone has different types. If we all liked the same thing, it would make the world a really boring place! What matters most is that I like myself," she added.

Serena Williams on being scrutinized for her body shape: "My mum taught myself and all my sisters to be so strong, it prepared me for these moments"

Serena Williams, Venus Williams and their mother Oracene Price (Source: Getty)

During the same interview, Serena Williams acknowledged that such scrutiny about her appearance was inevitable as a public figure, mentioning that no part of her body had been "off limits" amid the discourse.

"I guess it’s a part of being in the public eye. You have to accept that people are going to have a say, whether it’s your body, or your face, or your hands. It could be your feet. Nothing is off limits," Serena Williams said.

The American credited her mother Oracene Price for instilling strength in her and her sisters, disclosing that Price's "wonderful" message of self-love had prepared her to handle the relentless criticism about her physique.

"I think that’s why, growing up, my mum – not consciously, subconsciously – taught myself and all my sisters to be so strong. It prepared me for these moments," she said.

"A little bit. Also my older sister, too. But she always taught us to love ourselves and I think that is a wonderful message that I spread now to so many females. It’s really important. You are who you are, you can’t change it. And you’re beautiful," she added.

Serena Williams has taken a page out of her mother's book when it comes to parenting her own children, opening up about teaching her older daughter Olympia about the importance of being more kind and forgiving about her own and other women's bodies.