Serena Williams turned 43 this week, and as expected, birthday wishes poured in for the tennis icon.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion has made her mark both on and off the court. Back in 2003 and 2004, Williams posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, with stunning photos taken on the beaches of Turks and Caicos.
Though modeling was a new challenge for her, Williams embraced it wholeheartedly. She wanted to send a message to women everywhere—that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.
“It’s okay to be comfortable in your body,” Williams told SI Swimsuit. “I had never worn a thong before, but the moment I stepped out, I felt confident. I’m not a size 2, and that’s fine. You can feel good, look good, be strong, and still be sexy and unbreakable.”
She also stressed the importance of celebrating inner beauty: “Every time I posed in that swimsuit, I was channeling how I felt inside. That confidence is something I’d love every woman to experience.”
To honor her birthday, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit revisited her Turks and Caicos photoshoot, sharing one of her iconic images.
Although Williams hasn’t competed since the 2022 US Open—her last match against Ajla Tomljanovic—she remains a beloved figure and continues to be regarded as tennis royalty.
