Serena Williams Seeks Out Peaceful Spaces to Recharge

Serena Williams has a calming presence.The accomplished, retired professional tennis star and entrepreneur joined a panel with Estée Lauder creative director Gabriele Chiave and Lincoln interior design chief Ryan Niemic at the SLS Hotel In Miami Beach during Miami Art Week. Williams, who drives a lincoln Navigator, Has been a Brand Ambassador since 2018. Here’s what Serena said about how she moves through the world.

On the Power of Scent:

I love this conversation about scent and how it connects. When you’re having a meal, or when you’re sick and you can’t smell or taste. What an amazing opportunity to have scent. For me, its the memory of my mom’s cooking. it brings nostalgia.

On Finding Spaces to recharge:

When I’m at home, I take a moment and go in my room reset. Its important to give yourself that time. We do spend a lot of time in the car and when I think about this concept you do want it to be a sanctuary. If you think about it, when you’re behind the wheel you need to be at your best. You need to be calm and at peace. When I’m on the road I do feel at ease. It’s almost like a bear hug around me. My daughter loves it too, because we have (the backseat) tricked out with TVS. She just kind of zones out and then I can zone out.

On Creating the Ideal Space for Relaxation:

I’d do a soft texture on a wall that you can touch — soft fabric on the walls. My mind goes to soft fabric, pillows, a soft, calming couch. I do like white walls. I love the color pink. It makes me super happy. I love the smell of roses. I do like a faux fur wall.

On change since retiring from professional tennis:

I’m excited to build on different verticals. i literally spent so much of my life doing literally one thing. I’m so grateful for what I have done in the past, but I’m really excited about the future. Change is good. You can see that every time a new car comes up.