People

Meeting a Champion

Wheaties asked its fans to share how Serena Williams has inspired them for a chance to virtually meet her.
Serena Williams head shot

A dream come true

Leah Martin has always dreamed of meeting tennis superstar Serena Williams, but never believed it would actually happen.

But after she saw Wheaties’ sweepstakes with the chance to win a virtual meeting with Williams, Martin took her shot at the opportunity.

"And she won!"

“I really couldn’t even believe it. I was like, ‘is this real?’” says Martin. “I’ve always wanted to meet Serena. I told my friends, you have a list of people you would like to meet, but you don’t really think it’s going to happen. I have a few people on that list. But if I could only choose one, it would have been Serena. So, for that to happen is mind-blowing.”

Leah grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and started playing tennis at the age of four – the same age Williams started playing – and continued her tennis career through high school.

Martin has attended two U.S. opens and has seen both Serena and her sister, Venus Williams, play live.

In her sweepstakes entry post, Martin wrote, “Although I never truly desired to go pro, I feel connected to Serena, seeing her excel in a sport that one could say was not made for us, whether it be because of historical country club restrictions or just the cost of the sport itself. Where I come from, we were like tennis nomads, traveling from public court to public court to practice in the blistering sun, while our counterparts learned in air-conditioned facilities. Watching Serena make history inspires me because I see that I can overcome any obstacle that could hinder my race to accomplish what I’ve set out to do. I can be the greatest at what I do even if the odds are stacked against me. More than an athlete, Serena is a mother, an entrepreneur, an activist & so much more… she is a voice that influences, impacts, & inspires. And I too have the ability to do the same.”

In her sweepstakes entry post, Martin wrote, “Although I never truly desired to go pro, I feel connected to Serena, seeing her excel in a sport that one could say was not made for us, whether it be because of historical country club restrictions or just the cost of the sport itself. Where I come from, we were like tennis nomads, traveling from public court to public court to practice in the blistering sun, while our counterparts learned in air-conditioned facilities. Watching Serena make history inspires me because I see that I can overcome any obstacle that could hinder my race to accomplish what I’ve set out to do. I can be the greatest at what I do even if the odds are stacked against me. More than an athlete, Serena is a mother, an entrepreneur, an activist & so much more… she is a voice that influences, impacts, & inspires. And I too have the ability to do the same.”

On the video call, Martin and Williams got to share their love for the sport, their faith, and the connection between Leah’s hometown and tennis legend, Arthur Ashe.