While most tennis fans have had their eye on the action in Marseille, Qatar, and Cancun (and are now looking ahead to Delray Beach and Dubai), a surprising turn of events saw the world of tennis hit the headlines because of the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show.
The attention that the Superbowl gets around the world is unlike any other sporting event. As well as being the culmination of the NFL season, the star-studded event also hosts eagerly anticipated halftime shows and advertising that is tailored to the night.
This is a huge night for online sports bookmakers as explained by betting expert James Briscoe. The extensive selection of betting markets offered by licensed and offshore operators allows sports fans to offer regular sporting markets as well as propositions about what will happen during the famous half-time show. (Source: https://www.cardplayer.com/betting/no-kyc-sports-betting-sites)
However, there would not have been many that would have placed a bet on one of the greatest tennis players in history making an appearance and dancing to a diss track about her ex-boyfriend.
Williams Superbowl Dance Controversy
Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s beef has gone back for years, but it was the appearance of tennis legend Serena Williams performing the crip walk that had tongues wagging.
Williams, who is now happily married, previously dated Drake and her appearance with Lamar seemed to say a lot about how she now feels. However, she has been quick to give her own reasons, saying that Lamar had been in contact as he had seen her doing a similar dance at the 2012 London Olympics.
But the controversy does not end with a simple dig at a former lover, and the origins of the dance have been a big talking point. The dance was created in the 1970s by those living in Compton where both Kendrick Lamar and Serena Williams hail from.
The dance was adopted into rap and hip-hop culture, especially among those affiliated with the LA-based gang. While the dance is not necessarily seen as an affirmation for the gang these days it still has its links and people were quick to criticise the star for doing it in light of her sister Yetunde Price’s murder in 2003.
At 33, Price was killed in a drive-by shooting which saw Crip gang member Robert Maxfield receive a 15-year sentence.
One of the Greatest Tennis Legacies
Despite the controversy, Williams’ tennis legacy remains unrivaled having 73 titles to her name, including 23 Grand Slams, and spending 319 weeks as the World No.1. Her victories include 4 Olympic gold medals including 3 with her sister playing doubles in 2000, 2008, and 2012, as well as the Women’s Singles title in 2012 when she performed the crip walk in public for the first time.
The Potential of a Return
After sweeping all before her, Williams retired in 2022 to concentrate on family and other opportunities including Serena Ventures, her venture capital firm. She was keen to avoid drawing a line under her tennis career and comments in 2024 sparked rumours that a return could be on the cards.
The 43-year-old still has to make a return to the game, and she reiterated her desire to play again when speaking at the 2024 US Open. However, she went on to question whether she wanted to play professionally again.
