For the better part of the previous two decades, Serena Williams has been breaking down boundaries and racking up W’s. Her iconic reputation as one of the world’s greatest tennis players has been hard-earned, so it’s no wonder she now has to celebrate another new milestone.
As announced on Tuesday (June 25), for the first time in her career, the 37-year-old athlete has been finally given her own Wheaties cereal box.
Back in 2001 Wheaties paid homage to an icon and a true champion by putting her on the cover of a Wheaties Box. The FIRST ever Black Woman tennis player to be on the box was Althea Gibson. Serena Williams has now become the second and she feels honored as she shared this information on her Instagram.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion is the first tennis player since Andre Agassi in 2004 to be featured on a Wheaties box and is also the fourth overall player in the sport.
Serena said in a statement that she has dreamt of this since she was a young woman and it’s an honor for her to join the ranks of some of America’s most decorated athletes, she hopes that her image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big.
Other athletes on the front of the “breakfast of champions” box include Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, and Michael Phelps.
Williams is a strong advocate for equality outside the tennis court as she struggles for the causes she believes in, focusing on gender and racial equality.
In the next several weeks, Williams ‘ limited-edition Wheaties Box will make its national debut.