Serena Williams is recognized around the globe for her impeccable legacy as a tennis player and has just achieved another historical feat.
The 23-time Grand Slam title winner is the newest honoree of a building on Nike‘s campus which the brand erected in honor of her impressive achievements.
This new accomplishment has been a childhood dream of the relentlessly hardworking athlete who took to social media to break the news in an emotional update.
Serena Williams Unveils Nike Headquarters Building In Her Honor
MEGAOn Wednesday, April 28, Williams announced on her Instagram page that she is the newest honoree of a building at Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
The “Oceans 8” actress posed with her arms folded in front of the building, where her first name could be seen boldly in grey blocks.
Williams gushed about the accomplishment she had been manifesting and working towards all her life. She began her captions by introducing the importance of setting goals, writing:
“When I was just a kid, I visited the @nike campus and I saw that athletes get buildings! After that visit, I knew I wanted two things; to be a Nike athlete and to have a building. I set my goals high. I knew I would have to be elite, and not only the best, but someone that changes the course of sport.”
“The Battle of the Sexes” star has made her dreams a reality. She heralded the official unveiling of The Serena Williams building and admitted that she could not believe her eyes despite her hard work. She concluded:
“Blood sweat and many tears, many trophies – it is beyond an honor and giving me chill bumps. I am so grateful to Nike and the Nike team. Can you believe it? I have a BUILDING Y’ALL!!! This is CRAZY!!!”
According to Nike, the Serena Williams building is an impressive construction and an architectural masterpiece that stands at 1-million-square-foot. It is also the largest erection on the campus.
The building hosts a 140-seat theatre dedicated to Williams’ daughter Olympia. Nike’s product-merchandising, design, and insights teams will collaborate in the unveiled space.
The erection boasts a tripartite structure inspired by the tennis icons’ greatness and referencing the Nike goddess wings. Williams said in the brand’s press release:
“The whole building takes your breath away. Every element, everywhere you go, is an opportunity to be inspired. I hope this building encourages people to bring out the best of themselves and to dream bigger than they thought possible.”
The “Serena” star’s erection is LEED Platinum-certified and shows Nike’s dedication to championing the cause of athletes. The company’s chief design officer, John Hoke, said in the press release:
“Architecture has long been a creative catalyst for Nike. A manifestation of form and function following footprint, this building embodies Serena’s legacy as a force for positive change.”
William’s groundbreaking achievement puts her on the small and exclusive list of renowned female sports stars who have a building in their owner on the campus.
The list includes Olympian long-distance runner Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson and soccer star, and two-time winner of an Olympic gold medal Mia Hamm.
Nike’s Newest Building Honoree Talks Retirement and Family Expansion
Williams has proven to be the most accomplished female tennis star whose success spreads into multiple investments and businesses.
Last February The Blast disclosed that the star opened up to ET about the possibility of hanging her cape as a tennis legend, saying:
“I am prepared for that day. I’ve been prepared for that day for over a decade… If you’ve seen ‘King Richard,’ you know that my dad always said you got to prepare, so I’ve been prepared for that.”
According to Forbes, Williams has above 70 business involvements to fall back on after retirement. She also launched a clothing line in 2018, S by Serena.
The mother of 4-year-old Olympia, who she raises with her husband Alexis Ohanian, confessed that she sometimes struggles to manage her busy schedule as a mom and wife, but she has an outstanding team to help.
Williams confirmed, “I definitely want to have more kids… And I know the clock is ticking, so I’m just like, OK, I need to figure out when that’s going to be, but hopefully soon when I will feel no pressure.”
