'I'm proud to be strong!' Venus Williams hits back at body-shaming critics and celebrates her athletic physique - days after sister Serena was targeted by online bullies

  • Serena, 33, fell victim to cyber bullying during her successful Wimbledon campaign, with some claiming that she 'looks like a man'
  • Venus, 35, jumped to her sister's defense, praising her as an 'inspiration'

By Valerie Siebert For Dailymail.com

Published: 18:05 EST, 17 July 2015 | Updated: 18:08 EST, 17 July 2015

After cruel critics lashed out at her sister Serena's appearance, Venus Williams is taking her turn to speak out about body image, focusing on 'looking strong' first.

Following 33-year-old Serena's 36th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon on Saturday, she was hailed by sports fans the world over for her incredible athleticism - but sadly some also took the opportunity to take stabs at the tennis star's athletic appearance, with several people claiming that the champion player was 'built like a man'.

Now, in a new interview with Cosmopolitan.com, Serena's 35-year-old sister, and on-court rival, Venus, has addressed her own feelings about the way her body looks on and off the court.

Scroll down for video 

Powerhouse: Venus Williams, 35, has claimed that she doesn't think about how she looks as much as she focuses on what her body is capable of

Powerhouse: Venus Williams, 35, has claimed that she doesn't think about how she looks as much as she focuses on what her body is capable of

Opening up: Venus addressed body confidence in the interview and made it clear that she simply wanted to have 'my opponents to look at me across the net and just not want to play me because I look so fit and strong'

Opening up: Venus addressed body confidence in the interview and made it clear that she simply wanted to have 'my opponents to look at me across the net and just not want to play me because I look so fit and strong'

Sisterhood: After her sister Serena (R) was targeted by online trolls over her physique, Venus (L) has spoken out in an interview with Cosmopolitan about how she just let's her 'body do whatever it wants to do'

Sisterhood: After her sister Serena (R) was targeted by online trolls over her physique, Venus (L) has spoken out in an interview with Cosmopolitan about how she just let's her 'body do whatever it wants to do'

When asked if she thinks about misconceptions that exist around strong women, such as how they have traits that some may associate with being masculine and therefore unattractive, Venus said: 'I always thought of it like, "What can my body do for me?" and not, "How do I look?" 

'I've always been happy with my body.'

The sporting star, who has 22 Grand Slam titles to her name, added that she was more focused on putting across her strength on the court - than worrying about how people at home think about how she looks in her outfit.

'Of course I want to look well and fit - and as an athlete, I want to look strong,' she said. 

'I want my opponents to look at me across the net and just not want to play me because I look so fit and amazing and strong. So that's always my goal.'

Strength and beauty: Venus has 22 Grand Slam titles to her own name, including singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles

Strength and beauty: Venus has 22 Grand Slam titles to her own name, including singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles

Throwback: Venus and Serena have often been rivals over their careers as well as teammates on the court

Throwback: Venus and Serena have often been rivals over their careers as well as teammates on the court

A force to be reckoned with: The sisters have often partnered up for doubles competitions and, in fact, the pair are undefeated in Grand Slam Doubles finals

A force to be reckoned with: The sisters have often partnered up for doubles competitions and, in fact, the pair are undefeated in Grand Slam Doubles finals

In the interview, Venus also addressed the use of strength training, and whether she would avoid it simply to keep from bulking up.

Defiant Venus insisted that: 'I let my body do whatever it wants to do. I'm an athlete, so my main concern is how to achieve my top performance, whatever that takes.'

Serena, who beat Garbine Muguruza in a nerve-wracking Wimbledon final on the weekend, suffered taunts from cyber bullies after her achievement. Some poked fun at her 'caterpillar' eyebrows while others singled out her muscular physique as being 'manly'.

But many came to her defense, including Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who demolished a troll who dared to attribute Serena's tennis success to being 'built like a man'.

The 49-year-old author shot back at the male Twitter user with a photo of curvaceous Serena in a form-fitting red dress, writing: 'Yeah, my husband looks just like this in a dress. You're an idiot.' 

The incredible dominator: Serena scored her 36th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last weekend after winning against Garbine Muguruza in the final but sadly faced hatred from online bullies after the match

The incredible dominator: Serena scored her 36th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last weekend after winning against Garbine Muguruza in the final but sadly faced hatred from online bullies after the match

'It's a special quality that not a lot of people have': In another recent interview with People, Venus praised her younger sister for her 'ability to perform under the most pressure'

'It's a special quality that not a lot of people have': In another recent interview with People, Venus praised her younger sister for her 'ability to perform under the most pressure'

Zing! Harry Potter author JK Rowling shot down a Twitter troll who said that Serena's sporting success was down to her being 'built like a man' 

Zing! Harry Potter author JK Rowling shot down a Twitter troll who said that Serena's sporting success was down to her being 'built like a man' 

'You win!' After online critics poked fun at her 'caterpillar' eyebrows, Serena posted an Instagram video of herself going in for a trim

'You win!' After online critics poked fun at her 'caterpillar' eyebrows, Serena posted an Instagram video of herself going in for a trim

Venus also spoke out with her admiration for her sister, telling People:'From the very beginning she has inspired me. 

'This was a long time ago, before she won the majors - her heart on the court and her ability to perform under the most pressure… nothing has changed,' said Venus.

'It's a special quality that not a lot of people have.' 

As for the eyebrow comments, however, Serena seemed to take them to heart as she posted video on Instagram of her getting a professional eyebrow shaping. 

'Lol finally getting them shaped! Hahahha #haters I love you!!!' she wrote. 'Hahah but I still like them all natural! But for now you win lol.'  

Comments (6)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now