Sportswoman-cum-style icon: Serena Williams stuns in her magazine photo shoot

Serena Williams has often found herself on the receiving end of not-so-nice comments about her body structure. The tennis star has often been criticised on social media for her ‘masculine figure’, which led to author JK Rowling once shutting down a Twitter troll  in support of Serena.

However, none of this has has fazed the 33-year old who has won 21 Grand Slams in her 16-year long career, and is recognised as both as an excellent sportswoman and style icon in her own right. From her stylish tennis gear on court to her sartorial choices off it, Serena has over the years established herself as a celebrity who maintains her reputation both on the sports and style pages.

This is further established in her latest photo shoot for the New York Magazine, where Serena looks stunning in the perfect combination of athleticism and elegance. Featured on the cover, the description of the story reads ‘Serena Williams eyes a post-court career in fashion—but first, there’s tennis history to make’. Both New York Magazine and Serena posted photographs on social media offering a glimpse into the glamorous photo shoot.

Serena Williams eyes a post-court career in fashion—but first, there's tennis history to make: http://t.co/Xl9uszdy7f pic.twitter.com/ZrnyFOaIPh

— New York Magazine (@NYMag) August 10, 2015

The Unretiring Serena Williams: She’s eyeing a fashionable post-court life, but first she’s got tennis history to make….

Posted by New York Magazine on  Sunday, August 9, 2015

The cover photograph shows Serena posing in a snug black gown while another photo from the shoot has her showing off her athletic figure in a full split. The two contrasting images actually reflect the balance she has maintained in her sport and style.

In the story , Serena talks about her interest in fashion as a career. She already has a designer line called  ‘Serena’s Signature Statement Collection’ which shows her intent to make her name in the fashion industry as well. “We (referring to sister and fellow tennis player Venus Williams) brought fashion back to tennis,” Serena is quoted as saying in the interview. She also mentions that designing clothes was her “first real love”.

While a career in fashion may be in Serena’s future, her present is all about making tennis history as the 33-year old breaks records and age barriers with her trophies. She currently holds all four Grand Slams, a feat which is now referred to as ‘Serena Slam’ and will be looking to complete a Calendar Slam at the upcoming US Open.