00:00It isn't always easy to be on the stage and playing a tournament and then have someone making a comment about your body that, you know, it's too strong.
00:09But I think the biggest criticism that not only me but my peers go through is there'll be something saying that we don't deserve as much prize money as our male counterparts.
00:23When you work so hard, you dedicate yourself. It shouldn't be a double standard.
00:30A pretty big, significant first was winning my first Grand Slam.
00:38I was so young. I was 17. I was just overwhelmed with joy. I remember, like, grabbing my chest like, oh my gosh.
00:48It was something that I knew for as long as I could remember literally that this is what I was going to do.
00:53Growing up, I would have loved to have an amazing role model. I can't imagine what it would have been like if I did.
01:02So, I feel like it's a great opportunity that some of these young ladies can have a positive role model.
01:10One moment in particular was my return to Indian Wells.
01:13I didn't play there for so many years because of some unfortunate experience because of my color.
01:20May I say on behalf of everybody here at Indian Wells, welcome home, Serena Jamica Williams.
01:26But then when I did go back, I saw so many young kids there, young black girls, and they were so excited to see me.
01:35This one girl had up a sign that she was from Compton and she was there and she wanted to play tennis.
01:40It was an opportunity for me to realize that I'm here giving these people some sort of hope.
01:48I think every experience can make you stronger.
01:54I don't let anything break me.
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