Serena Williams has faced criticism from fans for a controversial joke she made about WNBA star Caitlin Clark at the 2024 ESPY Awards. The 23-time Grand Slam champion sparked ire by comparing the Indiana Fever star to NBA legend Larry Bird, humorously referencing “white people’s” admiration for both athletes.

Williams, who hosted the prestigious awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 11, introduced Clark by praising her three nominations and applauding her “amazing year.” However, her comment likening Clark to Larry Bird and humorously noting the enthusiasm of “white people” for the 22-year-old drew mixed reactions, with some criticizing it as inappropriate.

“Caitlin Clark had an amazing year and is nominated for three awards. Caitlin, 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,” Serena Williams said.

While the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s joke elicited laughter from the audience at the 2024 ESPY Awards, it has stirred criticism on social media. Fans expressed outrage at Serena Williams for incorporating race into her quip, deeming it inappropriate and insensitive given the context surrounding Caitlin Clark’s achievements in the WNBA.

“Smh. Serena, stop talking,” one fan commented.

“Why bring race into it?” a fan wrote.

“Some white people like @serenawilliams and some black people like Caitlin Clark. Generalization is provocative. Good job Serena. You were provocative for 5 minutes. Congratulations. Next,” another fan chimed in.

“‘White people’ a shame Serena had to go there, she should do better,” said another.

Others, meanwhile, voiced their disappointment with the 42-year-old for contributing to the “hate machine” against Caitlin Clark, especially since she had recently defended the Indiana Fever against negative scrutiny just a few weeks ago.

“Wrong. I am very much Black and very much a Caitlin fan. I guess Serena got the memo after her previous support of Caitlin. Pathetic,” one fan posted.

“Never was a fan. Irresponsible comment feeding this hate machine,” another fan shared.

“Really disappointed she would agree to say something like that,” said yet another.

“I got a line the other day and I was like, ‘I don’t want to say that'” – Serena Williams admits ‘struggle’ with poking fun at people as ESPYs 2024 host

Serena Williams

Amid the backlash over her joke about Caitlin Clark, it’s worth mentioning that Serena Williams admitted to “struggling” with having to make fun of people as the host for the 2024 ESPY Awards. In an interview with Vanity Fair before her hosting duties, the former World No. 1 revealed her reluctance to say a particular line provided by the writers, but recognized it as an integral part of the job.

“I think as a host you have to make fun of people, and I’m struggling with that. I got a line the other day, and I was like, I don’t want to say that. But I also understand that’s part of the job,” she said.

During the interview, Williams also opened up about how thoughts of a potential comeback linger in the “back of her mind,” confessing that she found it difficult to watch the 2024 Wimbledon Championships because she felt the urge to compete herself.