On Monday [December 14], Sports Illustrated announced Serena Williams would be taking home their prestigious ‘Sportsperson Of The Year’ Award by revealing the newest issue.
On the cover, Williams is seen sitting on a throne serving face and body in a lace leotard. After receiving backlash for being “too sexy” on the cover (and being body shamed for the past year), Serena ignored the haters and showed up to the ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ award ceremony last night at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers in New York. The tennis star slayed the red carpet in an even sexier, black sheer ensemble. 
Williams was in great company with her loved ones who’ve been with her since the the beginning, her older sisters Venus Williams (who presented her the award), Lyndrea Price and her mother Oracene Price.
Serena’s acceptance speech had a very empowering message for women. “For all the ladies out there, yes we can do it… My hope [that] by winning this award [I] can inspire many many many more women.” She also assured the crowd the best is yet to come. “I still have goals and I still have dreams of winning and this award makes me actually want to work harder to reach more goals.”
