Serena Williams Says Her New Barbie Doll Proves a Girl Can ‘Become Anything She Chooses’
The new Barbie doll is inspired by Williams’ championship victory at the 2005 Australian Open, after returning from knee surgery.
By Tim Chan
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A GOAT just got a Barbie doll.
Twenty-three-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams is the latest athlete to be honored with a doll from Mattel, with the “Barbie Signature Serena Williams Doll” arriving at retailers today.
The official Barbie doll is inspired by Williams’ championship victory at the 2005 Australian Open, where she claimed her seventh Grand Slam singles title after returning from knee surgery.
Mattel
NEW RELEASE
Barbie Signature Serena Williams Doll
The doll pays homage to Williams’ look on the court, with a green and white cutout top with mesh detailing, white skirt and white headband. The doll also sports high socks and white tennis sneakers, along with dangling silver earrings. Her outfit is complete with a tennis ball and a tennis racket from Wilson, Williams’ long time equipment partner.
Williams says seeing her Barbie doll for the first time was “so meaningful,” adding that she hopes young girls will see it as an example to go after what they want — and who they want to be.
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“Growing up, I didn’t see many girls who looked like me being told there was no limit to who they could become,” Williams says in a release. “I want every girl who plays with this doll to see possibility, not just in me, but in herself. She can dream big, work hard, change direction, break barriers and become anything she chooses.”
Timed to International Day of the Girl, Mattel says Williams’ Barbie doll celebrates the athlete’s “influence across sports, business, fashion and culture as she continues to break barriers and inspire the next generation.”
“Barbie has always inspired girls to believe they can be anything, from the sports stadium to the fashion runway to the boardroom,” says Nathan Baynard, Vice President and Head of Barbie, Mattel. “Serena Williams embodies that message through her extraordinary achievements as an athlete, entrepreneur and advocate for equality. By honoring her with a Barbie Signature doll, we’re celebrating a barrier-breaking icon whose legacy empowers fans everywhere to dream big and embrace their own potential.”
As part of the release, Mattel says its Barbie Dream Gap Project will make a donation to Mrs. Rina’s House of Blessings, on Williams’ suggestion. The organization funds programming focused on education for struggling kids and families in Martin County, Florida, not far from the athlete’s home in Jupiter.
After announcing her retirement from tennis in 2022, Williams returned to the courts in June for a much-publicized comeback. The tennis legend received wild card entries to play at Wimbledon in July and at the U.S. Open in September, but has not announced further plans to continue, as of this writing.
Walmart
ALSO AVAILABLE
Venus Williams Fashion Barbie Doll
$23.62
The Serena Williams Barbie doll comes on the heels of a Venus Williams Barbie that was released last August.
Part of the “Barbie Inspiring Women Series,” this doll is inspired by the tennis star’s outfit for the 2007 Wimbledon final, where Williams defeated Marion Bartoli in straight sets to claim her fourth title at the All England Club.
Mattel also honored another fierce female this year, with the release of the first-ever Whitney Houston Barbie doll in August.
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