J.K. Rowling Returns 9 Years Later to Fiercely Defend Serena Williams and Herself With a Brutal Take On Fake News
In 1995, Serena Williams stepped onto the tennis court for the first time professionally, at a time when the sport had very few players who looked like her or could match her relentless drive. Over the next two decades, Williams smashed through countless barriers, rewriting the rules of the game and inspiring generations to come. But her journey to the top has been far from smooth. While she collected trophies, Serena also faced constant criticism, with her strength and legitimacy being questioned time and time again. During these difficult times, she found loyal support in her fanbase, and, surprisingly, from a famous author—J.K. Rowling. Almost a decade after she last came to Serena’s defense, Rowling has returned, ready to fight for both the tennis icon and herself in the face of new fake news allegations.
On November 28th, J.K. Rowling took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to set the record straight. A post from a publication called “Politics For You” alleged that Rowling had cast doubts on Serena Williams’ Grand Slam victories and Olympic medals. The post stated: *”BREAKING: Children’s author J.K. Rowling questions the legitimacy of Serena Williams’ Grand Slam victories and Olympic medals. ‘Let’s just say I have my doubts.'”* It was an incendiary accusation, and Rowling didn’t let it slide. She fired back with a scathing response, sharing a screenshot of the post along with the comment, *”Would someone who isn’t blocked by the misogynistic, cowardly p—ks at @PoliticoForYou share this with them?”*
The bold response quickly attracted attention, with Rowling calling out what she referred to as misinformation. The publication soon deleted their post, but Rowling wasn’t done. She posted once again, saying, *”The misogynistic, cowardly p—s of @PoliticoForYou have deleted their post, confirming that, while they are indeed cowardly p—s, they’re not quite as dumb as they may appear.”* It was classic Rowling—fierce, uncompromising, and fearless in the face of unfair attacks. This wasn’t the first time Rowling stood up for herself or for Serena. Nearly nine years ago, she had similarly taken to social media to defend the tennis great during one of her iconic Wimbledon runs.
Back in July 2015, Serena Williams was on her way to clinch her sixth Wimbledon singles title. As the finals approached, Rowling couldn’t contain her admiration. She tweeted her excitement for the American player: *”#SerenaSlam! I love her. What an athlete, what a role model, what a woman!”* Rowling’s support was genuine, but not everyone shared her enthusiasm. When Serena eventually won the title by defeating Garbiñe Muguruza in straight sets (6–4, 6–4), not everyone was thrilled to see her conquer Centre Court. One user on X, under the name Rob (@diegtristan8), made an inappropriate comment, suggesting Serena’s success was due to her supposedly being *”built like a man.”* Rowling was quick to clap back: *”@diegtristan8 ‘she is built like a man.’ Yeah, my husband looks just like this in a dress. You’re an idiot.”* Her words were sharp, funny, and unapologetic, and they resonated across the platform, reminding critics that Serena’s greatness wasn’t up for debate.
The controversy surrounding Serena didn’t end there. Three years later, J.K. Rowling once again voiced her support for Williams during the tumultuous 2018 U.S. Open final. Serena, who had returned to the tennis scene after giving birth to her daughter Olympia Ohanian, was ready to reclaim her position at the top. However, her efforts in the 2018 U.S. Open were marred by controversy when she faced Naomi Osaka in the finals. The match included what many perceived as unfair treatment from the umpire, ultimately overshadowing the game and sparking a flurry of debate. Not long after, a cartoon by Mark Knight was published in Australia’s *Herald Sun*, depicting Serena in an offensive manner. The illustration received widespread backlash for perpetuating racial and sexist stereotypes, and Rowling wasn’t about to stay silent. She tweeted her disgust, writing, *”Well done on reducing one of the greatest sportswomen alive to ra–st and se–st tropes and turning a second great sportswoman into a faceless prop.”*
J.K. Rowling has always been known for her unflinching opinions, and her loyalty to Serena Williams is unwavering. Despite the constant barrage of criticism both she and Williams have faced over the years, Rowling remains steadfast in her determination to call out injustice. Serena Williams is an indomitable force on the tennis court, and Rowling is no less fierce in defending herself and those she believes in. Their connection, forged through resilience and the willingness to speak out, continues to be a powerful reminder of standing up against prejudice. For anyone who has followed Serena’s career for the past three decades, it’s beyond doubt that she has left an indelible mark on tennis. And it’s supporters like J.K. Rowling who remind us all that sometimes, it takes a village to fight against the tide of misinformation and hate.
