The GOAT: Serena Williams

In the season finale, we go behind the scenes of the making of The GOAT: Serena podcast. Hosts Zina Garrison and Chanda Rubin are joined by the show’s writer, veteran tennis journalist Pete Bodo, to discuss how the podcast came together, their perspectives on Serena Williams, the secret question they asked every guest, and much more. Special guests include Monica Seles, Andy Roddick, Rennae Stubbs, Isha Price, Pam Shriver, Rick Macci, Mary Jo Fernandez, and Mackie Shilstone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode, hosts Chanda Rubin and Zina Garrison break from the typical format and share their thoughts on the two most magical words in tennis - Grand Slams. They discuss Serena Williams’ most memorable Grand Slam wins, detail what it’s like to face her on the court, and the highs and lows of some of Serena’s biggest matches, including her first major win at the 1999 US Open, the 2017 Australian Open, won while 8 weeks pregnant, and her crushing loss to Roberta Vinci at the 2015 US Open. Mary Carillo and Patrick Mouratoglou also provide some insight on the inner-thoughts of Serena Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former tennis pros Pam Shriver and Rennae Stubbs, both still in the game as broadcasters, join hosts Chanda Rubin and Zina Garrison to explore the qualities that have enabled Serena Williams to withstand the stress of life at the top and the mental strength that’s kept her there for more than two decades. They also discuss mental health in sports in general and high profile athletes who’ve struggled, at times, with mental health in the public eye, such as tennis pros Naomi Osaka and Mardy Fish, along with Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. This is episode 2 of a 2-episode arc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special guests Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ coach since 2012, and Mary Carillo, award-winning tennis and Olympic Games TV correspondent, join hosts Chanda Rubin and Zina Garrison to examine the role of stress, conflict, and controversy in Serena’s career. From the amusing ones, like Serena’s denim skirt at the 2004 US Open and her infamous “biker boots” leg warmers, to the painful and difficult ones, like the 2018 US Open final between Serena and Naomi Osaka, and the others that sparked painful conversations around race, gender, and the fundamentals of fair play. Together these isolated incidents have helped shape Serena in the public eye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The path of tennis for Black players has been a long one filled with daunting obstacles and immense triumphs. Before Serena Williams, it was paved by Hall of Famers Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe along with our own Zina Garrison and Chanda Rubin, among others. Serena, the greatest tennis player of all time and an icon in her own right, has inspired many people of color within and beyond the sport. Hosts Zina Garrison and Chanda Rubin along with Katrina Adams, former professional tennis player and the first African-American president, chairman, and CEO of the United States Tennis Association and Robin Roberts, the host of Good Morning America and a former athlete herself, explore how Serena forced the culture at large to re-examine its assumptions about race and other issues surrounding women, sports, culture and society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No GOAT has achieved exceptional levels of success on their own. In the case of Serena Williams, besides her one-of-a-kind talent, discipline, and ambition, she had the power of sisterhood to support her through the ups and downs of her tennis career and personal life. Hosts Chanda Rubin and Zina Garrison take an in-depth look at Serena and Venus Williams’ unwavering relationship, their mother Oracene’s influence, and the overall importance of Serena surrounding herself with supportive women. Conversations include Serena’s older sister and business manager Isha Price and tennis champions Monica Seles and Andy Roddick, who had front-row views on Serena’s formative years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GOAT: Serena examines the remarkable career of the greatest of all time – tennis superstar Serena Williams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices