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LONDON – Serena Williams said she was not considering ending her fight for equality shortly after a question from a reporter raised concerns of Billie Jean King regarding Williams' dedication to tennis.
After her third consecutive loss in Saturday's Grand Slam final, she was asked at her post-match press conference whether she should focus on tennis rather than being a celebrity or to fight for equality.
"The day I stop fighting for equality and for people like you, it will be the day I'm in my grave," said Williams.
King then tweeted to clarify her views, claiming that she supported the work done by Williams to promote equality.
I would never ask anyone to stop fighting for equality. In all that she does, Serena highlights what we all need to fight for in order to achieve equality for all.
– Billie Jean King (@ BillieJeanKing) July 13, 2019
King told Mid-Wimbledon, at the BBC, that he wanted Williams to focus more on his prospects for the future on the court than to try to juggle the rest.
"We never count it – every time she wins, one more game is worth it – frankly, if I were Serena, I'd give up being a celebrity for a year and a half," King said. "If she wants to win titles, if she wants to break records, that's the question.I do not know what she wants.More than Met Galas.So stop all this madness. because she's trying to be everything.
"Especially at her age, you have to give up all those peripheral things if you want to do it.If she's pretty happy as she is, then all the better.I think she really needs to keep working on her fitness. and to refocus if she wants to break all those records, like Margaret Court's singles record, 24. "
King also tackled Williams' busy schedule beyond tennis before the tournament.
"She has a baby, she tries to contribute to gender equity, especially women of color, but it makes things much more difficult," said King. "I would like her to put aside everything else, because she has people working on it." I would like her to just get involved for the next year and a half. at two years old and say, I'm going to focus absolutely on what's needed for my tennis, so when I look in the mirror when I'm older, I can go back and know that I gave him everything I 'had. "
At her press conference, Williams said she was on track to tally with the court's Grand Slam record, saying that having a baby "definitely plays a small role". She said she hoped to participate in more tournaments and reach more finals to help her prepare for the bigger stages.
Tom Hamilton of ESPN contributed to this report.
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