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In the vast world of Barbie, children are transformed into anything, including the greatest tennis legends ever.
Tennis superstar Venus Williams is set to be immortalized through a new Barbie doll, celebrating her incredible sports achievements and her relentless advocacy for equal pay, as announced by the doll manufacturer today.
As part of Mattel Creations’ Inspiring Women Collection, Venus Williams’ doll will debut on Friday, with an expected price tag of $38 (€32).
A seven-time Grand Slam singles winner and a four-time Olympic gold medallist, Williams is undoubtedly a star in the tennis firmament.
Having taken a break from tennis for over a year, the 45-year-old phenomenally became the second oldest woman to win a WTA singles match in her recent performance at the Washington Open.
Her upcoming Barbie figure will depict the tennis icon in a white ensemble adorned with a green gem necklace, wristband, racket, and tennis ball, mirroring the attire she rocked during her victorious 2007 Wimbledon match.
Her groundbreaking victory marked the first time a woman received equal prize money to men at a high-level tournament, a triumph she had tirelessly fought for.
Mattel’s Inspiring Women Collection honors pioneering female historical figures across various domains, such as Chilean-American author Isabel Allende, English primatologist Jane Goodall, and US civil rights activist Ida B. Wells.
Initiated on International Women’s Day in 2018, the collection aims to inspire young girls to pursue any career or role.
“Girls have always been able to embody different roles and careers with Barbie, and it thrills us to highlight real-life role models, reminding them they can be anything,” exclaimed Mattel executive Lisa McKnight in a 2018 statement introducing the collection.
Mattel has since redoubled its efforts to include a more diverse range of girls and make Barbie an emblem of positivity and inclusion.
In May 2024, the company unveiled a series of dolls celebrating female “role-model athletes who have shattered barriers to encourage girls to remain engaged in sports.”
As part of Barbie’s 65th anniversary festivities, Venus Williams has already been featured in this collection, which also includes dolls of Brazilian gymnast and Olympic gold medallist Rebeca Andrade, Italian swimmer Federica Pellegrini, and Spanish paratriathlon athlete Susana Rodriguez.
“Throughout my career, I’ve always pursued the goal of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie’s mission resonates so deeply with that philosophy,” affirmed Williams.
The revelation of Williams’ new doll followed the July release of a Barbie with type 1 diabetes, a partnership with model Lila Moss.
In April, US basketball player LeBron James made history as the first professional male athlete to receive a Ken doll in his image.
Additional sources • AP
