ABSTRACT
Athlete activism has persisted for some time, yet the political and resistive tactics employed by professional athletes remains largely unexplored in scholarly literature. This chapter examines how Serena Williams uses fashion to challenge intersectional oppression within the historically exclusive tennis industry. Through a case study analysis, focusing on two aspects of Serena’s style—her hair and her clothing—I demonstrate that apparel can be used to defy white professionalism and wealthy cultural norms. Serena’s clothing choices strategically affirm her Black womanhood despite structural conditions within tennis that devalue it. This study ultimately encourages individuals with marginalized identities to employ innovative tactics, like strategic fashion, when resisting deficit notions of personhood while navigating hostile social environments.
