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Serena Williams’s journey from tennis superstar to business mogul is showcased in a new Prime Video docuseries, “The CEO Club,” premiering Monday. The 23-time Grand Slam champion demonstrated her now-typical multitasking lifestyle during a recent interview with The Associated Press, balancing beauty touch-ups while discussing her post-tennis business ventures.
Williams has not competed professionally since the 2022 U.S. Open, when she announced she was “evolving away” from tennis. Although she recently became eligible to return to competition after reentering the sport’s drug-testing pool, her future tennis plans remain unclear as she focuses on her entrepreneurial pursuits.
For Williams, the transition from elite athlete to executive has been a natural evolution, drawing on the same competitive principles that defined her tennis career. “I think the biggest lesson is just never give up, and you have to keep trying,” Williams said. “As a CEO, you don’t win everything. You have to make really hard decisions. Just like in sport and in tennis, you have to show up every day. You might lose, but you just have to show up again the very next day.”
The eight-episode docuseries follows Williams and several other prominent female executives as they navigate high-stakes business decisions, family responsibilities, and personal challenges while building global brands. Williams’s co-stars include Latin singer Thalia, fashion designer Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Market America and Shop.com CEO Loren Ridinger, supermodel Winnie Harlow, wellness entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman, and jewelry designer Isabela Rangel Grutman.
Beyond appearing in the series, Williams also served as an executive producer through her company Nine Two Six Productions. She explained that this behind-the-scenes role felt natural after years in the public spotlight. “Being in the public eye for so long, you really want to control the narrative and make sure the truth gets out there,” she said. “Not only for me, but for these amazing women that are in the show as well, it’s super important that the right story is told.”
The series aims to reveal the realities of leadership that audiences rarely see. Ridinger, who built her business over decades, emphasized that successful leadership is far from the overnight success it might appear to be. “Everybody thinks you’re just like an overnight success. They don’t realize it took 34 years to get where you’re at,” Ridinger said. “Leadership is not that easy. You have to make tough decisions, tough calls. You’re not always a fan favorite of people who you’re working with.”
Both Williams and Ridinger highlight the challenges of balancing professional demands with personal responsibilities. Ridinger shared her approach to managing competing priorities: “You cannot become a slave to emergencies. You have to learn how to prioritize. And the way I do that is very simple. I do the hardest things first every day.”
The series also explores the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive networks. “The curation of a positive circle is just part of life that we need to have,” Ridinger noted. “You’re not going to associate with somebody that doesn’t believe in what you do.”
Williams drew parallels between the mental toughness required in professional sports and business leadership. “When you’re the best, most people want you to not do so well,” she observed. “You just have to lean into making those decisions anyway.”
The docuseries arrives at a time when interest in female leadership and entrepreneurship continues to grow across multiple industries. For viewers, “The CEO Club” offers a rare glimpse into the decision-making processes, challenges, and triumphs of successful women navigating the complex world of business leadership while balancing personal lives.
Williams’s participation in the project further cements her transition from sports icon to business leader, adding to her growing portfolio of ventures that span investments, fashion, and media production.
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9 Comments
Serena Williams’ transition from tennis star to business leader is truly inspiring. Her competitive mindset and drive to never give up seem to translate well to the corporate world.
It’s fascinating to see how elite athletes like Serena can apply the same principles of discipline and resilience to succeed in business. I’m curious to learn more about the challenges she’s faced and the lessons she’s gained.
The idea of applying ‘athlete discipline’ to business leadership is really compelling. I’m curious to see how Serena’s competitive mindset and work ethic have shaped her approach to entrepreneurship and problem-solving.
It’s admirable that Serena is willing to take risks and try new things, even after such an illustrious tennis career. Her ability to adapt and evolve will likely serve her well as she navigates the business landscape.
Serena’s decision to ‘evolve away’ from tennis is intriguing. I wonder what her future tennis plans are and how she’ll balance that with her growing business ventures. It’ll be interesting to see how she navigates this transition.
That’s a great point. Her future in tennis does seem uncertain, but her entrepreneurial drive is clearly strong. It will be fascinating to see how she manages both aspects of her career going forward.
The concept of ‘The CEO Club’ docuseries is really intriguing. I’m curious to learn more about the specific challenges and lessons Serena has encountered in her transition from athlete to executive. Her story could provide valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Serena’s journey from tennis superstar to business mogul is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to seeing how her experience as an elite athlete has influenced her leadership style and decision-making in the corporate world.
The docuseries on Serena’s entrepreneurial journey sounds like a must-watch. I admire her ability to multitask and balance her various passions and responsibilities. Her story could provide valuable insights for aspiring business leaders.