Serena Williams was born in Saginaw, Michigan and was raised in Compton, California and West Palm Beach, Florida.
"Williams was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and continues to adhere to that faith today, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t tripped up along the way. In 2009 she cursed out a line judge, even using the Lord’s name in vain, for making a call with which she didn’t agree. Talking about the incident several years later she said,
What bothered me most was that I was representing my religion. I just felt like anyone who knew I was a Witness was stumbled and I really don’t want to stumble anyone. They had to have a talk with me. And I knew it was coming.
1
And then there’s that whole Olympics thing. Jehovah’s Witnesses are not supposed to show allegiance to anything but God–including countries. So participating in the Olympics, which is considered a nationalistic activity, could be looked down upon. But Williams seemed to feel no qualms with representing her country. In fact during the 2012 Olympics she said, “We’re here for our country.”
2 And then when the U.S. flag came loose of its holder and came sailing down while she was singing the national anthem, some Jehovah’s Witnesses called it a sign of God’s disapproval.
3
Earlier that year, though, she made it clear that she’s still dedicated to her faith. After winning Wimbledon she said, “I want to thank Jehovah for letting me get this far.”
4 And talking about how she was reconnecting with her religious roots she said she would only marry a man who shared her faith.
5
So even though some Jehovah’s Witnesses consider her a less-than-ideal representation of their faith, Williams clearly feels devoted to her religious beliefs. "
As a Jehovah Witness, she is bound by law to marry someone of her faith. If not.... doomed to a eternity in hell.
