Serena Williams is one of Kaitlyn Clark’s most famous supporters, and she doesn’t shy away from pointing out that the rest of the WNBA rookie phenom’s fans are “white people” who are “really crazy” about her.
The tennis legend hosted the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday night, and in her opening monologue, she praised Clark for her three nominations, but she also noted that Clark is popular with a certain fan base.
“Kaitlin Clark had a great year and was nominated for three awards. Kaitlin, you’re Larry Bird in that you’re a great player, you have the Indiana ties and white people are crazy about you.”
#ESPYS24 Host Serena Williams mentions Caitlin Clark by name in her introduction
“You’re Larry Bird in that you’re a great player, you have Indiana ties, and white people are crazy about you” 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Hz1nmFpfYF
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) July 12, 2024
The joke worked so well that the audience immediately responded with laughter.
Williams has voiced his support for Clark, telling The Associated Press last month that the hostility directed at him stems from professional jealousy.
“I love that she tries to keep her feet on the ground and doesn’t go on social media. [media]” Williams said at the TriBeCa Film Festival in June.
“I know. I don’t know. I think it’s really important that she continues to do what she’s doing. No matter what other people do, if people are negative, it’s basically because you can’t do what you’re doing. Hopefully, she continues to do what she’s doing now.”
Host Serena Williams speaks onstage during the 2024 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
Clarke took Williams’ advice and implemented it.
Her offensive production has steadily improved over the past month, culminating in an incredible performance last weekend when she became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double. Clark recorded an unprecedented performance in WNBA history on Wednesday night, recording 29 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, five three-pointers, five steals and three blocks.
Clark didn’t win the Female Athlete of the Year award, which went to Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson, but she did earn the NCAA’s all-time scoring leaderboard and the record-breaking performance award as the college athlete of the year.
