Many are saying that it was long overdue, but tennis superstar Serena Williams is finally gracing the cover of the iconic Wheaties cereal box known as "The Breakfast of Champions." Being featured on the box has a long been a tradition of honoring legendary sports icons.
Williams, a 4-time Olympic gold medalist with 72 winning titles under her name, shared the news in a post on Instagram.
"In 2001, Wheaties paid homage to a true champion and an icon by putting her on the cover of a Wheaties Box," Williams wrote. "Althea Gibson was the first Black woman tennis player to be on the box. Today, I am honored to be the second."
Aside from currently holding the record for most Grand Slam tournament wins in the Open Era for both women and men, Williams is also a renowned entrepreneur and fashion designer. She has also supported several projects that champions women entrepreneurs as well as those who are following her footsteps in tennis.
Tiffani Daniels, a marketing manager at Wheaties, said in a statement that Williams "exemplifies all of the personal attributes that Wheaties looks for when choosing who its next champion will be."
"On the court she has been named the women's most valuable player seven times, while off the court she uses her voice to inspire and spark change to make the world a better place," she continued.
The limited-edition box is available in grocery stores nationwide over the month. Williams hopes that it serves as an inspiration to many young women.
"I am so excited to be on the cover of the next Wheaties box," Williams said in the press release. "I have dreamt of this since I was a young woman and it's an honor to join the ranks of some of America's most decorated athletes. I hope my image on this iconic orange box will inspire the next generation of girls and athletes to dream big."