In the 1980s, a profound shift took place in the lives of Venus and Serena Williams, sparked by their mother, Oracene Price, who introduced them to self-belief. From that moment on, spirituality became an integral part of their remarkable journeys. Over the years, Serena has often expressed her gratitude, stating, “I want to thank Jehovah God,” emphasizing the role her beliefs play in shaping her identity. Now she has coupled this gratitude with a powerful message about self-confidence, encouraging others to embrace their true selves.

Williams sent a positive message on Twitter that struck a chord with her admirers. In her heartfelt post, she encouraged everyone to practice self-love, writing, “Before you go to bed tonight, look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘You are gorgeous. You are beautiful and you are loved.’ Love ya,”–a practice that can easily become a habit to foster self-love.

Williams has publicly expressed her commitment to her faith, even taking part in the well-known door-to-door preaching practice of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As her career progressed and she embarked on new chapters in her life, marrying Alexis Ohanian and becoming a mother in 2017, Williams hinted at the possibility of stepping back from tennis and reconnecting with her faith.

“Being a Jehovah’s Witness is important to me, but I’ve never really practiced it and have been wanting to get into it,” she told Vogue in 2017. Of her husband, she added, “Alexis didn’t grow up going to any church, but he’s really receptive and even takes the lead. He puts my needs first.” However, Williams, who sees her faith as a driving factor in her life. How?

Serena Williams wants to build a ‘better relationship with God’

“We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, so we don’t do that,” Williams said candidly after the 2018 U.S. Open, describing why she doesn’t celebrate her daughter Olympia’s birthday. In an interview with the New York Times a few months ago, Williams discussed why she chose not to celebrate her daughter Olympia’s birthday, providing insight into the spiritual values that underpin her family.

Williams talked about how she has had a strong connection to God since she was a little child and described her spirituality as a fundamental aspect of who she is. She stated, “I tried to develop a better relationship with God. You have a strong, solid foundation; the Bible says you won’t crack, but the man who built his house in the sand went down spiritually. I have a really strong foundation. That’s how I was raised.”

Williams never wavers in her devotion to her faith, continually demonstrating the benefits it offers her. Her spirituality has influenced who she is on and off the court, from creating a feeling of community to giving her inner strength when things become tough. In the end, her story shows how faith can be a strong source of inspiration and direction, providing a distinctive perspective on the world and its difficulties.