On Tuesday, world’s greatest tennis star and unparalleled goddess Serena Williams unleashed upon the world her Vanity Fair cover, in which she bared a pregnant side-profile for iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz. And, my god, the internet WAS NOT READY.
V.F. cover star @SerenaWilliams—world’s best athlete (plus, mom and wife-to-be)—still has her eyes on the prize https://t.co/kvYTrrcPdW pic.twitter.com/zTq6ZGYb4k
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) June 27, 2017
With her hair billowing behind her, shoulders dropped, head high, and protruding belly accented with a jeweled body chain, Williams is untouchable, exuding strength and pride. And yet her portrait cannot be done justice with a reaction of adjectives alone.
Here are 15 ways Twitter is reacting to Williams’ pregnant Vanity Fair cover, emoji and gifs running rampant with adoration and excitement.
Of course, Williams is an absolute queen.
https://twitter.com/JustinCentric/status/879678370790944768
Mother Earth, even.
https://twitter.com/DogBoneStudio/status/879685898803261441
Or perhaps, the greatest otherworldly person of all time.
Your GOAT isn't an actual goddess sent to bless this planet? Can't relate. https://t.co/6lY28Frkoe
— Ⓜ️ichael Whitlow (@couldbelikemike) June 27, 2017
C’mon, her baby is definitely a demigod.
This is so stunning beautiful I'm just going to assume that she's pregnant with a ray of light. https://t.co/lTVtRa1zLy
— Geraldine Just Follow TheEverywhereist on Threads (@everywhereist) June 27, 2017
At least a princess, for sure.
Slay us, we are yours QUEEN! Melanin poppn! Cant wait for the fruits of your majesty! I think a beautiful strong princess is growing there! https://t.co/j4O1LanvjL
— Athi Mtongana (@AthiMtongana) June 27, 2017
Or, perhaps, Williams’ babe is a savior all their own?
Some of your fans are calling him Messiah, so I will go with a male 😉😊
— All Things Serena/Lewis (@all_serena) June 27, 2017
And then there are the gifs. Loads and loads of gifs.
https://twitter.com/ira/status/879680641633181696
— Pamala Knight (@pamalaknight) June 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/callnumberninja/status/879684246041972737
Really, Williams must have known she was throwing a wrench into this entire work week with that photo.
https://twitter.com/adena_andrews/status/879684423893098496
I mean, anything to be like the reigning tennis champion, amirite?
https://twitter.com/iSmashFizzle/status/879667448852733955
However, despite Twitter running aflame with the announcement of Williams’ pregnancy photo shoot, the athlete’s news was minimally, if not barely, rained upon by retired tennis player John McEnroe, who said two days prior that if Williams “played the men’s circuit, she’d be like 700 in the world.” While Williams clapped back in the most classy way possible, her later-unveiled magazine cover had several people defending her while insulting McEnroe.
I hope girl just so your baby is guaranteed to be smarter than John McEnroe.
— Rita J. King (@RitaJKing) June 27, 2017
whichever it is, I bet it could beat John McEnroe
— Steve Manfred (@DrWhoScholar) June 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/riotglasses/status/879706737523265536
https://twitter.com/ItsPlayVicious/status/879713088005656576
Williams is a reckoning force, and her baby? Well, that child will more than likely be a prodigy of its own, too.