Serena Williams has defeated some of the greatest tennis stars of all-time while dealing with no shortage of adversity in her career and personal life. But her newest opponent might be the most unique of them all: Hotel decorations.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was in a New York City hotel this week for Kim Kardashian’s launch of the SKIMS/Nike partnership. But while she was showing off how luxurious her hotel is, something caught her eye: A cotton plant decoration.
Williams seemed put off or downright outraged by the decoration, declaring that it “doesn’t feel great” to see at a hotel she’s at.
“How do we feel about cotton as decoration?” Williams said while looking at the decoration. “Personally, for me, it doesn’t feel great.”
Williams then plucked one of the cotton balls and seemed to recoil after rubbing it on one of her nails. It’s not clear if the plant is real or not.
There are obvious negative connotations behind cotton plants going back centuries. But these days, just about every other item of clothing you come across is going to have at least some cotton as part of the materials.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 11: Serena Williams speaks onstage during the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Serena, Nike & SKIMS
Williams will have a lot of work ahead of her as part of the historic collaboration between Nike and SKIMS.
In September 2025, Nike and SKIMS unveiled their highly anticipated collaboration, launching a new activewear brand called NikeSKIMS. This partnership combines Nike’s expertise in performance wear with SKIMS’ focus on body-inclusive design, aiming to redefine athletic apparel for women. The debut collection features seven lines with 58 silhouettes, offering sizes from XXS to 4X, and is priced between $38 and $148. The campaign, titled “Bodies at Work,” showcases over 50 athletes, including Serena Williams, Sha’Carri Richardson, Jordan Chiles, and Kim Kardashian, who also serves as SKIMS’ co-founder and chief creative officer.
Serena Williams plays a pivotal role in this collaboration, not only as a lead ambassador but also as a central figure in the campaign’s visual storytelling. The campaign emphasizes inclusivity and empowerment, aligning with Williams’ legacy both on and off the tennis court. Her involvement underscores the brand’s commitment to serving women who are redefining what it means to be an athlete today. NikeSKIMS is set to launch on September 26, 2025, and will be available at Nike and SKIMS retail locations, including flagship stores in New York City and Los Angeles.
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Tennis section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.