“She has changed lives by bringing mental health and athlete safety to the forefront. She has transformed gymnastics—and even sport itself. But her greatest legacy may be ensuring a better future for those who follow.” These are quite powerful words, but when you think, just who said this, it makes it all the more special. It was none other than the Queen of the Court, Serena Williams herself. Yep, you heard that right. But while we are loving all this praise, there might be more relevance to it than we might think. But how?

Well, on April 15, Simone Biles was once again named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2025. This time, the tribute, or those words mentioned earlier, came from Alexandra “Aly” Raisman, her former teammate and captain during the Rio Olympics. But Aly’s praise wasn’t only about Simone’s athletic greatness—it was about her impact. A kind of influence that resonates with people far beyond the gymnastics floor.

Because let’s be honest: Biles’ story isn’t just about gold medals or record-breaking routines. It’s about how she redefined what strength looks like. Well, when Simone pulled out of several events during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, citing the “twisties” and prioritizing her mental health, the world watched in disbelief. Some criticized. Others were confused. But a global conversation was born.

But Serena didn’t just praise Biles’ athleticism—she spotlighted her courage. “By living her truth so loudly and by championing mental health, she is setting new standards of beauty, strength, and resilience… encouraging others to do the same.” And that’s where Simone stands apart. As Aly Raisman put it, Simone Biles’ influence stretches far beyond the mat. Her bravery gave countless people, especially young women, the permission to pause, to speak up, and to choose themselves.

Even those who have never laced up gymnastics grips or set foot in a gym have felt the ripple effect of her honesty. And the truth is, this didn’t start in 2025. Four years ago, the world watched as Biles pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics, citing her battle with the “twisties”—a terrifying mental block that makes high-flying skills suddenly dangerous. In that moment, she didn’t just walk away from competition—she walked into history. But Simone’s decision to prioritize mental health over medals was a groundbreaking act.

It challenged outdated ideas of toughness, shattered the silence around mental well-being in elite sports, and sparked a global conversation. She showed the world that true strength sometimes looks like stepping back. Even Serena Williams, a living legend in her own right, was deeply moved. In her 2021 TIME tribute to Biles, Serena didn’t hold back: “What she [Simone Biles] embodies truly reflects the endless potential of Black women. I wish I had her to look up to when I was younger and trying to realize my dreams.”

Coming from Serena—a trailblazer who spent decades carving out space for herself in a sport not built for her—those words carried weight. And while Serena admitted she didn’t have someone like Simone to look up to in her youth, it’s clear the admiration runs both ways. Apart from the above scenario, there’s plenty of evidence to support that. 

Simone Biles and Serena Williams have an unending bond 

Between Simone Biles and Serena Williams, it’s more than just mutual admiration—it’s a bond. A silent sisterhood forged through greatness, grit, and the shared weight of breaking barriers in worlds not built for them. And if there was ever a moment that captured that connection in real time, it was last December. The two icons came together at a high-profile event hosted by Vanity Fair, Female Quotient, and Audemars Piguet.

It was an intimate evening in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District during Art Basel weekend, focused on empowering entrepreneurs and sparking meaningful change. But when Serena and Simone walked into the room, the energy shifted. These weren’t just world-class athletes in attendance—they were architects of cultural transformation. After the event, Simone Biles took to Instagram with a carousel of photos.

One of them? A candid shot alongside Serena. Her caption was short but said it all: “Goated conversations.” A nod to the undeniable fact that both she and Serena stand among the greatest of all time. Serena, too, shared her thoughts with a post of her own: “Yesterday, I sat with the goat, @simonebiles, at an EVENING OF IMPACTFUL CONVERSATION with @audemarspiguet, @vanityfair, @femalequotient, and a house full of women. I love to see it.” Meanwhile, the mutual love and respect were impossible to miss.

But beyond the Instagram captions and red carpet smiles, their connection runs deeper. These are two women who’ve faced the spotlight, shattered stereotypes, and reshaped the definition of strength in their ways—yet never lost the essence of who they are. So when they talk about “goated conversations,” it’s not just hype. It’s a moment of power, of presence, of legacy in motion. Because when Serena Williams and Simone Biles sit at the same table, they’re not just sharing conversation—they’re shaping history.