Tennis icon Serena Williams has spoken out in support of WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark's decision to steer clear of social media and encouraged her to tune out negativity. The 23-time Grand Slam champion discussed the challenges she faced during her own rise to stardom at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

Speaking at a premiere for the upcoming eight-episode docuseries "In The Arena: Serena Williams," set to air on ESPN+ starting July 10, Williams shared her understanding of why Clark opts to avoid social media platforms. Recalling the scrutiny she and her sister Venus endured when they entered the elite tennis world, Williams acknowledged the bullying and criticized the harsh judgment faced by athletes in today's digital age.

Williams described her own experience as a teenager, explaining the need to stay guarded in order to maintain her sanity. The constant media attention and demanding travel schedule made it challenging to cope with the non-stop scrutiny faced by the Williams sisters. Reflecting on the present, Williams expressed admiration for Clark's grounded approach and her resolve to stay away from social media.

The WNBA's No. 1 draft pick, Caitlin Clark, has found herself at the center of intense media and social media debates. Most recently, there has been discussion surrounding her exclusion from the U.S. Olympic basketball roster for the forthcoming Paris Games. Williams commended Clark for her resilience, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on one's goals and ignoring any negativity from others.

Clark, who has openly acknowledged her efforts to avoid social media, reaffirmed her stance against racist and misogynistic agendas online. She expressed disappointment in how her name has been misused to further such harmful narratives, emphasizing that respect for every woman in the league should be a basic human expectation.

As Clark continues to navigate her first year as a professional athlete, Serena Williams stands as a guiding figure, offering words of wisdom and reminding her to remain determined and unfazed by external pressures. With Williams' own experiences providing a backdrop, Clark can draw strength from the support of a tennis legend who understands the challenges that come with unprecedented success in the sporting world.

As the release of "In The Arena: Serena Williams" draws near, fans of both Serena Williams and Caitlin Clark eagerly await the opportunity to witness the story of one champion inspiring another, shedding light on the perseverance required to thrive under the relentless spotlight of the public eye.