Serena Williams has a message for anyone who wants her to shut up and play

Serena Williams has a message for critics who want her to keep quiet about social issues and simply play tennis.

"The day I stop fighting for equality and for people like you, it will be the day I'm in my grave," Williams promised at a press conference on Saturday.

The comments were quickly picked up by the sensation of football, Megan Rapinoe.

"You know what, I will fight every day for equal pay, for myself, for my team, and for everyone," Rapinoe told NBC, adding:

"Man, woman, immigrant, American citizen, person of color, anyway. "Equal pay", as the great Serena Williams said, "until I'm in my grave".

Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slam titles, fell on Saturday to equal Margaret Court's record (24), losing in the Wimbledon final against Simona Halep.

Throughout his career, Williams has had to face many outspoken criticisms of issues such as sexism, racism and the gender pay gap, especially for women. of color. But more recently, these critics came from a surprising source: tennis legend and activist Billie Jean King.

King had earlier suggested in the tournament that if Williams wanted to fight, she would have to stop being a celebrity for a year and a half.

"More than Met Galas," King told the BBC. "Just stop all this madness because it's trying to be everything."

King quickly added that this advice was for Williams if his main goal was to continue to break tennis records.

"If she's happy enough as she is, then everything is fine," said King.