Serena Williams has faced countless battles on and off the tennis court, but her latest objection comes from something far less expected—a hotel decoration.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was in New York City this week attending Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS and Nike partnership launch. While giving fans a glimpse of her upscale hotel room, Williams noticed something unsettling: a cotton plant used as decoration.
Clearly uncomfortable, she voiced her displeasure. “How do we feel about cotton as decoration? Personally, for me, it doesn’t feel great,” she said. Williams even picked one of the cotton balls, but quickly pulled her hand back after brushing it against her nail, unsure whether it was real or artificial.
Given the historical associations tied to cotton, her reaction isn’t surprising. Yet, it’s worth noting that cotton remains a staple material in modern clothing.
Beyond the controversy, Williams is also front and center in the newly launched NikeSKIMS brand. The groundbreaking collaboration between Nike and SKIMS, revealed in September 2025, aims to merge high-performance sportswear with inclusive design.
The collection debuts with seven lines, 58 unique styles, and sizing from XXS to 4X, priced between $38 and $148. Its campaign, “Bodies at Work,” highlights more than 50 athletes, including Williams, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, and co-founder Kim Kardashian.
As a lead ambassador and key figure in the campaign, Williams embodies the brand’s vision of empowerment and inclusivity. NikeSKIMS officially launches September 26, 2025, with products available in Nike and SKIMS flagship stores in New York and Los Angeles.
