The first thing you might notice about the 2026 Met Gala is co-host Venus Williams neck plate draped over his chest. It was a custom piece made to reflect the Wimbledon Women’s Singles Cup, which she has already won five times. But here’s what you might have missed: Swarovski crystal earrings emblazoned with “6%.”
This number is the whole point. To date, only 6% of the world’s scientific research on sports has focused exclusively on women. Williams role Gatorade is the first Science Ambassador the goal is to change it. The multi-year global program, led by the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, examines the needs of women at life stages and critical moments — from menstruation to pregnancy to perimenopause — to close the research funding gap.
Below, Williams shares how she stays motivated, what she’s learned about listening to her body, and why her partnership with Gatorade feels so personal.
About what drew him to his partnership with Gatorade
“I had absolutely no idea that only 6% of research was done on women. If I’m a great athlete and this is basically what I do for a living and I don’t know it, (then) the rest of the world doesn’t know it. … This opportunity gives me a platform to do something good, but I’m also educated myself. It’s big business, and guess what, girls do sports.”
About how young players get it right, he has to learn the hard way
“I feel like I’m straddling both worlds. The research and the science is changing so fast. I see how players train differently. I see players all doing the same exercises and the same recovery and (then) in a few months, all of a sudden they’re doing something different. That’s why I love that there’s so much in this investment. But what I’d like to invest in more (if involved) is the investment in women.”
On what it’s like to win at this stage in his career and how he stays disciplined on days when he doesn’t feel motivated
“Your character is built on the days when we don’t feel our best. It’s all about building habits. You create the right habits and you set expectations for yourself. At the same time, it’s about listening to your body. I used to work out six days a week, and finally, in my late 30s, I started learning (to exercise) five days a week. off.'”
About what she would say to someone who feels like they’re off their game right now
“Most days aren’t going to be perfect. Sure, we can achieve perfection, but a part of you has to realize that it doesn’t always feel great. It doesn’t always feel perfect. (Try to) push the feeling away and (say), ‘I’m enjoying this challenge.’ I’m enjoying this process.” Once you start repeating it, then you’ll start to feel good about that feeling of “(I) have to. I have to be perfect. I have to feel great.'”
Rapid fire
A few quick questions to get to know you without much thought.
Pre-match ritual: Eat, warm, stretch. I just got married, so my husband and I pray before we play. It looks like a picture of a new game that we won’t miss. I love it.
Funniest Group Chat: It’s no longer around, but it was called "Dating adventures."
Guilty pleasure: Oh my God. I like sweets.
Display: I started watching friends again I watch the same things over and over again. They are like my friends. I don’t want them to go.
Song: (Once, before a demo game,) I chose a song by Drowning Pool called “Braves”. I was doing it as a joke, and when they played the song and I was walking, the crowd was like: what? So I don’t think I’ll do it again.
