Whether you are a fan of tennis or not, there is no doubt that Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes to ever live. No, not the greatest tennis player. No, not the greatest female athlete. The G.O.A.T. She has overcome obstacle after obstacle. Her older sister paved the way for her and Serena came rolling through.

She is an inspiration to so many young girls and young athletes around the globe. Here is a list of seven inspirational sports commercials that have featured Serena Williams:

1. “Nike: Just Do It| Serena Williams”

This commercial came out just as the 2018 US Open began. The commercial features Williams’ father, who trained her from a very young age. He tells young Serena to imagine that she is playing at The Open. She is to imagine that she is serving, returning, and slamming forehands on the courts in Flushing Meadows. As Richard Williams speaks of the future, the video shows Serena doing exactly what her father envisions her doing. She is a champion and this commercial shows that it was instilled in her from a young age. You cannot watch this without feeling the nostalgia. Nike outdid themselves once again.  

2. “Gatorade: Sisters in Sweat”

To young girls everywhere: we are all in this together and keep playing. Williams holds her baby as she talks of the future. She doesn’t care if Alexis Olympia plays tennis or even plays sports at all, she just wants her to “Keep Playing.” Whether in sports or in life, it is important to just keep going and to never give up. Major feels.

3. “Nike Unlimited Greatness”

Wow. The music makes this commercial. There are no lyrics, just crescendos and decrescendos. William’s career was on the rise and then all of a sudden it drops after an injury. Her ranking drops, but her morale doesn’t. The music says it all. The listener can feel the inspiration.

4. “CHASE: Serena Williams| Mama Said Knock You Out”

For those who did not recognize the lyrics at first, shame on you. Moreover, the commercial gives a bad-ass portrayal of the tennis queen. It highlights Williams’ new role as a mother, but reminds the audience that she never left the tennis scene. She has always dominated and will continue to do so.  

5. “Beats by Dre |Queen of Queens”

Yet another Serena Williams commercial that came out just in time for the 2018 US Open. It depicts the dichotomy of mother and athlete, but comes to the conclusion that a woman could be both. A true queen.

6. “Beats by Dre | Serena Williams-Rise Up”

Elite athletes are not oblivious to what the broadcasters say about them. Those who are at the top are scrutinized and held to a higher standard. People are always looking for a way to knock them off of their pedestal. This commercial shows Serena Williams tuning out the noise and focusing on her own improvements. As she runs through the city, she sees televisions in shop windows that show her achievements. She is reminded of her greatness and rises up to the occasion. Also, I just love this song by Andra Day.

7. “Nike: Dream Crazy”

While Serena Williams only has a small role in this commercial, it is no less powerful. Colin Kaepernick narrates the film, highlighting the obstacles that each athlete has overcome to achieve their greatness. He talks about all of the crazy dreams that they have had, and that they have come true. When he gets to Williams he says, “And if you’re a girl from Compton, don’t just become a tennis player. Become the greatest athlete ever. Yeah, that’s more like it.” Wow. This video gives us chills.

Serena Williams

Less than a year after giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Williams found herself in the Wimbledon final. Although she lost to Angelique Kerber, it was an amazing run. Then came the 2018 US Open. Williams was in the final once more, but this one involved slightly more controversy. After receiving a warning for a coaching violation, Williams was issued a point penalty for racquet abuse, and then a game penalty after arguing with chair umpire, Carlos Ramos. Williams could not believe it, and she called out the chair umpire for discriminating against her because she was a woman.

“There’s a lot of men out here that have said a lot of things, and because they are men, that doesn’t happen,” said Williams mid argument.

The controversy overshadowed Naomi Osaka’s first grand slam win. And in the days following the match, the conversations continued. Of course people have differing opinions about the match and what went down, but one Australian newspaper cartoonist took it too far. Mark Knight, a cartoonist for Melbourne’s Herald Sun depicted Williams in  “Jim Crow era” imagery. Osaka was depicted as a white, blonde tennis player which only added to the racist theme. This was not the first time that Knight came under fire for how he depicted people of color.

But fret not because this is not the first time that Serena has faced racist or sexist portrayals in the media. Being the superhero that she is, catsuit or no catsuit, Williams will be back in a Grand Slam final in no time proving all of her doubters wrong.