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 came into the show with plenty of comedic material, and one joke came at the expense of Fever phenom Caitlin Clark.
Williams — who entered the stage surrounded by people in tennis outfits — first praised the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft before making a quip.
“Caitlin Clark had an amazing year and is nominated for three awards,” Williams started her joke to a huge applause at 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.
Clark, playing Friday for the Fever in Indianapolis, did not appear to be in attendance for the annual award show.
Williams hit on a number of topics to open the show, including Kendrick Lamar’s beef with fellow rapper Drake, Shohei Ohtani getting millions stolen by his ex-interpreter and women’s sports playing second fiddle on ESPN’s airwaves to the other major sports leagues — and cornhole.
But the joke about Clark seemed to resonate most on social media, which had mixed reactions.
“Shame on you, @serenawilliams . What a disgusting comment. Do better,” wrote one user on X.
“it was a joke, it was not that serious,” wrote another user replying to a video of Williams’ joke.
“Good Lord. Even if she’s just messing around, why even go there? Unbelievable,” wrote another.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) questions a foul call in the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Washington Mystics in Indianapolis, Wednesday, July 10, 2024.AP
“I mean she ain’t wrong lol,” another added.
Clark, during her rookie year with the Fever, was nominated for three awards during the show: best women’s athlete, best record-breaking performance and best women’s college athlete.
