Tennis icon Venus Williams is immortalized in a new Barbie doll, unveiled today as part of Mattel’s Inspiring Women collection. The doll celebrates Williams not just for her athletic prowess, but for her groundbreaking role in securing pay equity in professional tennis.
The doll features her in the signature white outfit Williams wore when she made history at Wimbledon in 2007. That tournament marked the first time a female champion earned equal prize money to her male counterpart at a major event. Included with the doll are accessories that echo that moment: a tennis racket, a ball, a wristband, and a green gem necklace.The doll is priced at $38 and will be available Friday on Mattel’s website and in select stores.
Mattel’s senior vice president and global head of Barbie, Krista Berger, described Williams as “a trailblazer both on and off the court.” Berger said the doll honors how she “redefined what it means to be a champion, not just through Grand Slam titles, but through fearless advocacy for pay equity.”(
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, conveyed deep pride in the recognition. She said, “Being honored as a Barbie Inspiring Woman is incredibly special. I hope this doll encourages young people to dream big, know their worth, and pursue their goals with confidence and heart.”
This release follows a previous Barbie honoring Williams, launched in May 2024 for Barbie’s 65th anniversary. That earlier doll was part of a Role Model series celebrating athletes who broke barriers. It featured Williams along with eight other star athletes, including gymnasts, a boxer, and soccer players.
Honoring a Defining Moment
Williams selected the 2007 Wimbledon outfit intentionally—its symbolism transcends style. It represents her trailblazing efforts for gender equality in sports. Throughout her career, Williams has pursued fairness, lobbying tournament officials and publicly demanding equal treatment for women players.
That victory at Wimbledon was more than a match—it was a milestone that shaped the sport’s future.
Williams has frequently spoken about her personal connection to dolls. As a child, she often played with them, crafting clothes and experimenting creatively. She described the unveiling of her own Barbie as a “full-circle moment,” a convergence of her childhood imagination and professional influence.
This Barbie doll is both a tribute and a teaching tool. Williams’s legacy of resilience and fairness now stands as playtime inspiration. Through this figure, young fans may be encouraged to believe in themselves and their power to affect change.
Mattel’s Inspiring Women series highlights remarkable women across fields, pairing likeness with legacy. Along with Williams, past dolls in the collection honor figures like Maya Angelou, Frida Kahlo, and Eleanor Roosevelt