After waiting for almost 25 minutes in anticipation, when the Serena Williams‘ INBOUND16 Spotlight finally started, people could hardly contain their excitement.
Can't wait to hear @michaelstrahan interview @serenawilliams. Some serious #starstruck times ? pic.twitter.com/37NljdlcOh
— Amey Sklad (@AmeyGrella) November 10, 2016
To make the wait more bearable, the INBOUND16 team started a pop quiz for the audience.
But that didn’t help much as some didn’t agree with the options on screen.
.@INBOUND that's not the right answer… It was Garbine Muguruza #INBOUND16 @serenawilliams can't wait! #Tennis pic.twitter.com/vYrFaDMT8N
— Matthew TW Huang (@MatthewTWHuang) November 10, 2016
Finally they came up with the solution of distributing tennis balls signed by Serena herself.
My seat neighbor and new twitter friend @amandastmarie caught a signed tennis by by @serenawilliams #INBOUND16 #famousbyassociation pic.twitter.com/1OUkN0ZTzO
— Nicole Pereira (@Nicca619) November 10, 2016
And more Balls !
Signed @serenawilliams balls! pic.twitter.com/PwXPgXsflW
— Lauren Beliveau (@Lrnlisab) November 10, 2016
Finally, host Michael Strahan and Serena Williams walked up on the stage and the much awaited spotlight started.
Witnessing the intersection of sports and business listening to @serenawilliams and @michaelstrahan at #INBOUND16. #HumansofINBOUND pic.twitter.com/bZrWDYea9b
— Sport Watchers (@SportWatchers) November 10, 2016
Michael started the discussion with Serena’s views on dedication and talent, to which Serena elegantly replied,
“It’s not about being natural, it’s about nurturing and growing your talents”
.@serenawilliams on dedication: Its not about being a "natural," it's about nurturing and growing your talents. #INBOUND16
— ✨Danielle Sabrina✨ (@DanielleScorp) November 10, 2016
Personal Relations
Serena talked about her sister Venus, who has been supportive of her at all times. Both of them have a high level of understanding.
No one can understand me the way Venus does. @serenawilliams. – #sisterlove #INBOUND16
— Ermolande (@NoireCarrieB) November 10, 2016
Just like every other siblings, Venus and Serena are very competitive with each other.
"Venus and I are very competitive with each other". @serenawilliams #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/C7Q1xvpRWx
— Anjali Agarwal (@anjaliagarwal05) November 10, 2016
When asked about her mom, she replied that she is still scared of her and told everyone about the mean backhand her mom has.
"She got a mean backhand" –@serenawilliams talking about her mom. ??? #INBOUND16
— jaymad (@jayellemadison) November 10, 2016
On Court
Serena admitted that she is very intense when she is on court as that’s her life. According to her, you must be serious with your job.
"Im really intense on the court. That's my life; that's my job; that's what I love"
—@serenawilliams #INBOUND16— Billy LePage (@Wlepage94) November 10, 2016
Event after 22 Grand Slam victories, Serena still gets nervous before any game.
https://twitter.com/KlebanowLK/status/796822714552119296
.@michaelstrahan: "Are you nervous before you play tennis?"@serenawilliams: "Every single match."#inspiring #INBOUND16
— Shelby Clarke Arnett (@shelbstheging) November 10, 2016
Motivation
Serena doesn’t keep track of her trophies and achievements, which is the reason she still has that hunger to perform better and be better than yesterday. That’s one hell of a motivational trick anyone can give you.
Don’t you agree?
"You don't want to lose that hunger. That's why I don't have trophies up." @serenawilliams #INBOUND16
— Jessie-Lee Nichols (@jhyphenl) November 10, 2016
Serena opened up about her stand on the sexism in sports. She strongly condemned the use of the term “Greatest Female Athlete”.
.@serenawilliams on #sexism: You'd never say "greatest male athlete," so why say "greatest female athlete"? #INBOUND16
— ✨Danielle Sabrina✨ (@DanielleScorp) November 10, 2016
Serena tends to keep her goals very high, as there is nothing to lose. She believes that higher goals would keep you motivated and keep you out of the league as well.
.@serenawilliams: I always set my #goals extremely high and go from there; I have nothing to lose. #INBOUND16 #motivation #success
— Jeffrey N. Tomaneng (@JeffTomaneng) November 10, 2016
Fun Facts
In her free time she is just like one of us. She shared a story where she once didn’t get out of her bed for 36 hours and ordered pizzas from Dominos.
"I didn't leave my bed for like 36 hours because I discovered the @dominos app" –@serenawilliams I feel ya, lady #INBOUND16
— Kelly Cotton (@kellykcotton) November 10, 2016
#DidYouKnow: @serenawilliams loves gluten free @dominos pizza. ? #INBOUND16
— ✨Danielle Sabrina✨ (@DanielleScorp) November 10, 2016
"I'm not Adele, I have no voice, that's why I karaoke" preach, @serenawilliams #INBOUND16
— Ellen Pratt (@ellenpratt) November 10, 2016
.@michaelstrahan: What are you afraid of?@serenawilliams: Frogs. I hate frogs. And sharks. #INBOUND16
— Dylan Manley (@dcm510) November 10, 2016
Serena loves running her own social media account all by herself because that’s the medium according to her which helps athlete showcase their fans who they really are?
"Social media has been so good for athletes. We can show people who we are outside of our work." @serenawilliams #INBOUND16
— Sasha (@sashafastov) November 10, 2016
As an endnote Serena advised everyone to never stop trying, as the minute you stop trying you’re giving up on yourself and stay humble to everyone around you.
"Never stop trying. The minute you stop you're giving up on yourself." – via @serenawilliams #INBOUND16
— Jessie-Lee Nichols (@jhyphenl) November 10, 2016
I hope you now feel empowered enough to include these tips and tricks in your life whenever you face challenges and failures.
This is just one of the many INBOUND spotlights that we are tracking this year. If you aren’t in Boston, make sure you keep up with all the action at our INBOUND16 coverage!
