Serena Williams has made history yet again.
The tennis star’s image will be featured on the iconic Wheaties cereal box, reports ABC News. As Williams noted on Instagram, she is the second Black woman tennis player to be featured on a Wheaties box. The only other Black female tennis player to receive the honor was Althea Gibson back in 2001. Gibson is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes to ever grace a tennis court. She was best known as the first Black woman to ever win a Grand Slam title when she won the French Open in 1956.
"In 2001, Wheaties paid homage to a true champion and an icon by putting her on the cover of a Wheaties Box," Williams wrote.
"Althea Gibson was the FIRST Black Woman tennis player to be on the box. Today, I am honored to be the second."
Wheaties confirmed the development in a press release and praised Williams for her accomplishments.
“Serena exemplifies all of the personal attributes that Wheaties looks for when choosing who its next champion will be,” marketing manager Tiffani Daniels said. “On the court she has been named the women’s most valuable player seven times, while off the court she uses her voice to inspire and spark change to make the world a better place.”
The mom of one has won 23 grand slam singles titles and 14 grand slam doubles titles. On June 4, Williams became the first athlete to make Forbes’ World's Richest Self-Made Women list. Her net worth is reportedly $225 million.
“I am so excited to be on the cover of the next Wheaties box,” Williams said in a statement. “I have dreamt of this since I was a young woman and it’s an honor to join the ranks of some of America’s most decorated athletes. I hope my image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big.”
Williams' most recent honor caps off an incredible stretch for the tennis star. She was honored with Sportswoman of the Year award at the 2019 BET Awards on June 23.
