On the same day Vanity Fair released their exclusive magazine cover featuring Serena Williams, ESPN’s body issue was headlined by former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki.
Williams posed nude for Vanity Fair after conducting an exclusive photo shoot with renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. The Australian Open champion is seen posing with nothing but a silver chain around her waist.
During the Vanity Fair interview, Williams revealed how she discovered she was pregnant. After experiencing some changes in her body and being sick, her friend persuaded her to have a pregnancy test. The 35-year-old was initially dismissive about the prospect of her becoming pregnant, but conducted a pregnancy test during a promotional event she was doing for lingerie company Berlei.
“I put it down. I went back to finishing hair and makeup, was laughing, talking. I was getting the styling done. An hour and a half later, I went back to the bathroom and I totally forgot about it because it was impossible for me. . . . So I went back to get dressed and I went back in the bathroom and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, that test.’ ” She recounted.
One test wasn’t enough for Williams. In fact, she took a total of six to confirm that she was actually pregnant. After finding out, she asked her fiancée Alexis Ohanian to come to Melbourne and see her. Williams actually never directly told Ohanian that she was pregnant. Instead, she presented him with a bag containing the six positive pregnancy tests.
Williams will miss the rest of 2017, but she intends to return to the tour in January next year according to Vanity Fair.
“I don’t think my story is over yet.” She said about her tennis career.
Check out my Vanity Fair Cover. Question- what do u guys think boy or girl? I’m waiting to find out but would love to hear your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/Nnq4VKCu8N
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) 27 June 2017
Wozniacki On ESPN front cover
Another player to pose naked for a magazine is Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane was selected to be the front cover for this year’s ESPN body issue. Every year the magazine features a series of nude and semi-nude athletes in a bid to rival Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue.
A total of 23 athletes is featured in this year’s edition. During an interview with ESPN, the 26-year-old said female tennis players are ‘judged and scrutinized’ for how they look.
“I think I heard a bit of everything from people. Focus on your sport, you know, train harder.” She said.
“You do too many (photo) shoots, you think too much about looks. But people don’t know how much effort and work we put into this (playing sport).”
Despite the critics, Wozniacki remains defiant by saying her focus is on ‘being the best player’ regardless of what people say about how she looks. Still, it wasn’t easy growing up in a society filled with skinny models with perfect skin.
“When I was younger, I think it felt a little more insecure because I had more muscles than the models or the skinny girl you see on the street.” Wozniacki admitted. “But at the same time I grew up to really love my body.”
Wozniacki is the latest of a series of tennis players to feature in the ESPN body issue. Others include Williams and her sister Venus, Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych.
Proud and excited for this one! Thank you #ESPNBody for the cover!! pic.twitter.com/M3e3thYfoR
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) 27 June 2017
