Serena Williams went for the ace in her 2024 ESPY Awards monologue.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner and host of this year’s awards in Los Angeles took the stage with a wealth of comedic material, and one particularly memorable joke came at the expense of Fever phenom Caitlin Clark.
Williams entered the stage surrounded by people in tennis outfits and began by praising Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, before delivering her punchline.
“Caitlin Clark had an amazing year and is nominated for three awards,” Williams started, drawing huge applause from the packed Dolby Theatre. “You are the Larry Bird in that you are an amazing player, you have ties to Indiana, and white people are really crazy about you.”
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Clark, who was playing Friday for the Fever in Indianapolis, did not appear to be in attendance at the annual award show.
Williams touched on a variety of topics in her opening monologue, including Kendrick Lamar’s beef with fellow rapper Drake, Shohei Ohtani getting millions stolen by his ex-interpreter, and the lack of attention women’s sports receive on ESPN compared to other major sports leagues and even cornhole.
However, the joke about Clark seemed to resonate most on social media, eliciting mixed reactions from viewers.
“I mean she ain’t wrong lol,” another added.
During her rookie year with the Fever, Clark was nominated for three awards: Best Women’s Athlete, Best Record-Breaking Performance, and Best Women’s College Athlete.
Her exceptional performance has made her a standout figure in women’s basketball.
Williams’ monologue set the tone for a night filled with humor and celebration of athletic achievements. Her ability to mix praise with playful jabs showcased her knack for engaging the audience and keeping the atmosphere lively.
As always, Williams proved that her charisma extends beyond the tennis court, captivating fans and athletes alike with her wit and charm.
