Big Shock from NBC: Serena Williams Reveals She Was Boycotted by White Tennis Players, Says Practices Became “Uncomfortable and Distracting” on Late Night with Seth Meyers!

In a powerful and emotional interview on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, tennis legend Serena Williams stunned viewers by revealing that during the height of her career, she was boycotted and deliberately isolated by other white players on the professional tennis circuit. The revelation, which quickly went viral, has reignited conversations about race, inclusion, and respect within the world of professional sports.

A Rare Glimpse Into Serena’s Silent Struggles

Host Seth Meyers, known for his light but thoughtful interviews, invited Williams for what started as a celebratory conversation about her post-retirement life and legacy. But midway through the segment, the tone shifted when Meyers asked about the challenges she faced during her early years on the tour.

“It wasn’t just the crowds or the media scrutiny,” Serena said quietly. “There were moments — too many, honestly — when I felt boycotted. Not officially. No one said it out loud. But I wasn’t welcomed. I was intentionally left out.”

“Most of those moments,” she continued, “came from other white players.”

The audience was visibly stunned, and Meyers appeared taken aback by the candor of the moment. “You mean, players wouldn’t practice with you?” he asked.

“Exactly,” Serena responded. “There were tournaments where no one would warm up with me. Training sessions where people would suddenly leave the court. I’d walk in and the energy would just shift. It was uncomfortable. Distracting. But it also became fuel.”

Serena’s Experience Reflects Deeper Issues

Serena, now 43, is widely regarded as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time — a 23-time Grand Slam champion who broke racial and gender barriers in a sport long dominated by white athletes. But as her interview made clear, success didn’t shield her from discrimination.

“I knew my presence challenged the status quo,” she said. “I was a Black girl from Compton wearing beads and bringing power to the court. Some people just weren’t ready for that. They saw me as a threat before they ever saw me as a peer.”

Though she did not name specific players, Serena noted that the experience wasn’t limited to her early years. “Even during my prime, it still happened. Not as much, but enough to remind me I didn’t fully belong in their eyes.”

Reaction: Shock, Support, and a Renewed Call for Change

Within hours of the interview airing, social media lit up with messages of support under the trending hashtag #WeStandWithSerena. Fans, celebrities, athletes, and fellow tennis players praised her courage for speaking out.

Former WTA player James Blake tweeted:

“Serena Williams faced more than any champion ever should. She handled it with grace and fire. The sport owes her more than trophies.”

Billie Jean King, another tennis icon and long-time advocate for equality, wrote:

“I admire Serena for speaking her truth. Her strength continues to inspire generations. We have to do better as a sport.”

Some fans pointed to past tensions between Serena and fellow competitors like Maria Sharapova and others, reigniting discussions about the underlying racial dynamics that may have shaped those rivalries.

Serena: “I Never Let It Break Me”

Despite the emotional weight of her story, Serena made clear she never let the boycott stop her — instead, she turned pain into power.

“I used to think: if they won’t hit with me, I’ll hit harder. If they don’t respect me, I’ll earn it every single time I step on the court. I didn’t need validation from them. I had it from within, and from the people who truly supported me.”

She also credited her sister Venus for being her rock during those lonely moments.

“Venus always had my back. She was the first to say, ‘Let them exclude you. That’s their loss.’ And she was right.”

What’s Next?

Serena’s candid interview has already sparked renewed calls for introspection within the tennis world. Fans and journalists are now demanding that governing bodies like the WTA and ITF examine the culture around inclusion and support — both past and present.

Meanwhile, Serena continues to focus on her ventures off the court: motherhood, business, activism, and storytelling. But her words on Late Night with Seth Meyers serve as a potent reminder that even the strongest legends carry invisible scars.

“I’m not angry,” she told Meyers at the end of the segment. “I’m just ready for the next generation not to have to deal with what I did. That’s the real win.”