Serena Williams has made history as the first woman to ever wear cornrows on a Teen Vogue cover.
The 37-year-old tennis star is sporting the braids on the cover of the magazine’s December issue, which shows her modeling a voluminous coral jacket and gold dangly earrings.
‘We put cornrows on the cover of Teen Vogue for the first time in the publication’s history,’ the magazine tweeted on Wednesday.
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Incredibe: Serena Williams has made history as the first woman to ever wear cornrows on the cover of Teen Vogue magazine
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Announcement: The magazine tweeted the news on Wednesday afternoon
Serena has been wearing cornrows for years, both on and off the tennis court. For her pal Meghan Markle’s royal wedding in May, the mother-of-one styled her hair in cornrows and Senegalese twists.
The new issue was the first cover created under the helm of Teen Vogue’s new editor-in-chief, Lindsay Peoples Wagner, who is the youngest black editor of a major publication.
The cover was also shot by a black woman, British photographer Ronan Mckenzie.
‘My mother once told me that to sustain myself in this industry, I would have to be what I needed when I was younger,’ the 28-year-old editor wrote in an introduction to her interview with the athlete and 12-year-old gun control activist Naomi Wadler.
‘So here we are — Serena in cornrows for the first time on a cover, in conversation with two young black girls just trying to figure out our magic.’
At Teen Vogue’s Summit, Lindsay spoke with Serena and Naomi about the importance of putting other black women on and giving them a chance.
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Stunning: It was the first cover created under the helm of Teen Vogue’s new editor-in-chief, Lindsay Peoples Wagner, who is the youngest black editor of a major publication
‘It’s definitely important to have that conversation, and then encourage people to support each other. Especially as women of color,’ Serena said.
‘We really have to support each other. I always like to say that women really should support each other, because the success of one woman should be the inspiration to the next.
‘If we look at it that way, there would be so much more that we can accomplish.’
Naomi, who rose to fame after giving a powerful speech at the March for Our Lives protest in Washington, D.C. last year, said that she finds inspiration from her fellow activists.
‘I think that that’s what keeps me motivated, knowing that people care and that I’m not alone, and that we’re not alone, and that we’re all together, and there’s power in numbers,’ she said. ‘I think about that and I can continue on.’
During the candid conversation, Serena also opened up about the practicalities of combining motherhood with her sports career while admitting to having ‘rough days.’
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Beautiful: The cover was also shot by a black woman, British photographer Ronan Mckenzie
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Stunning: A close-up shot shows Serena in all of her beauty
She was at the peak of her career when she welcomed her much-loved daughter Olympia with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian last year.
Serena said she simply ‘doesn’t know’ how she makes things work.
‘Honestly, I don’t know. I go to bed every night thinking, “How did I get through this day?” I’m sure a lot of people out there can relate, right? It’s like, this day is over, it’s 10 o’clock, I got through it. How did that happen?’
The 23 Grand Slam champ has a packed schedule in addition to her intense training regime.
‘I’m training on top of running this fashion company, on top of being a full-time mom. I’m super hands-on as a mom. I just take it as it is and realize that everyone goes through the same thing.’
Back in September, Serena infamously made headlines when she had a confrontation with a referee during the final of the U.S. Open, which she then lost to Naomi Osaka.
While she didn’t address this controversy in her new interview, the athlete talked about coping with ‘rough days.’
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Interview: Lindsay (far right) had a conversation with Serena (center) and 12-year-old gun conrol activist Naomi Wadler at the Teen Vogue Summit earlier this month
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Impo
‘I think it’s really important to realize that no day is going to be perfect. For me, that’s really hard because I strive for perfection, and I feel like everything I do has to be great and has to be perfect, because I am a true perfectionist.
‘But that’s impossible. That’s not reasonable. Then I realize that, OK, I had a rough day today, let’s do something to make it better tomorrow.
‘I think it’s important to expect to have some really rough times when you’re going through something, but always know that you can overcome it.’
Serena’s history-making cover debuted just one day before the Women’s Tennis Association announced two rule changes that would have benefited the tennis legend during the 2018 season.
The 23 Grand Slam champ has a packed schedule in addition to her intense training regime.
‘I’m training on top of running this fashion company, on top of being a full-time mom. I’m super hands-on as a mom. I just take it as it is and realize that everyone goes through the same thing.’
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Fan: Serena often styles her long hair in cornrows, both on and off the court
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Throwback: Serena, pictured in 1999, has been wearing cornrows for years
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Royal affair: For her pal Meghan Markle’s wedding in May, the mother-of-one styled her hair in cornrows and Senegalese twists
Back in September, Serena infamously made headlines when she had a confrontation with a referee during the final of the U.S. Open, which she then lost to Naomi Osaka.
While she didn’t address this controversy in her new interview, the athlete talked about coping with ‘rough days.’
‘I think it’s really important to realize that no day is going to be perfect. For me, that’s really hard because I strive for perfection, and I feel like everything I do has to be great and has to be perfect, because I am a true perfectionist.
‘But that’s impossible. That’s not reasonable. Then I realize that, OK, I had a rough day today, let’s do something to make it better tomorrow.
‘I think it’s important to expect to have some really rough times when you’re going through something, but always know that you can overcome it.’
Serena’s history-making cover debuted just one day before the Women’s Tennis Association announced two rule changes that would have benefited the tennis legend during the 2018 season.
Her infamous ‘catsuit’ leggings are now permitted, and mothers will be granted added rankings protection when coming back from maternity leave.
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Win for Serena: The Women’s Tennis Association will now allow ‘leggings and mid-thigh-length compression shorts’ after the tennis star’s catsuit was banned at the French Open this year
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Looking back: The tennis star gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in September of 2017 and returned for the 2018 French Open, but was forced to retire because of an injury
Serena wore the compression leggings as part of a catsuit outfit at the 2018 French Open, prompting French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli to ban the one-piece body suit ‘out of ‘respect [for] the game and the place.’
Now the WTA will allow ‘leggings and mid-thigh-length compression shorts without a skirt, shorts, or a dress.’
According to Yahoo Sports, Williams may still not be allowed to wear the outfit at Roland-Garros in 2019, but she will be able to do so during other tournaments.
Serena had to undergo an emergency C-section with her daughter Alexis Jr. last year and developed multiple blood clots after the delivery.
Later she said she nearly died from complications, which is one reason why she chose to wear compression leggings during the 2018 French Open.
Serena dedicated the catsuit to ‘mothers everywhere’ following her return from maternity leave. She said the outfit made her feel like a ‘queen from Wakanda,’ which is a reference to the movie ‘Black Panther.’
After the tournament banned the outfit, Williams received an outpouring of support on social media.
