Prior to the event, the Olympian told CFDA: ‘Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself – fashion gave me the confidence to step on the court and own who I was, and where I knew I was going.’

Glamarous: All eyes were on tennis superstar Serena Williams as she arrived to the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards (CFDA) at the American Museum of Natural History on Monday in New York City

Stunning: As she prepared to accept the Fashion Icon Award, previously bestowed upon Naomi Campbell, Zendaya and Beyonce, during the star-studded ceremony, the retired athlete, 42, stopped to pose for photos on the red carpet in a black sequined gown, designed by CFDA Chairman Thom Browne, with dramatic sleeves and a train

‘My dream of owning my own brand, S by Serena, has become a reality and throughout my career I have been blessed to collaborate with the most established designers and the most exciting up-and-coming creatives,’ Williams continued. ‘I have had so much fun learning my style and allowing it to change as my life has evolved, but I’ve always held one thing true – fashion is for everyone, no matter your size, race, or income.’

Williams said she felt ‘incredibly honored to be receiving the prestigious Fashion Icon Award from the CFDA.’

CFDA Chairman Thom Browne credited the Michigan native for ‘bringing fashion to another world’ through her tennis career as well as ‘always staying true to herself, both on and off the court.’

Browne also described Williams as a ‘true fashion icon’ and ‘one of the most inspiring people in the world.’

In December, she took to Twitter to admit that retired life isn’t easy for her.

She explained it is challenging to have free time because she has spent her whole life preparing for the next tournament or game in constant competition.

Serena welcomed Olympia in September 2017, whom she shares with her husband and Reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian. The couple tied the knot two months after their daughter was born.

When talking to E! News earlier this month, the sports star commented on her daughter saying, ‘I hope she realizes that I was pretty good at my job and the hard work that it takes to be good at it.’

‘Just taking away the hard work and the excellence that you have to put your body through and the discipline that you also have to put your body through,’ she continued.

Rare night away from the family: The mom-of-two, who gave birth to her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August, accessorized her show-stopping dress with jewelry from David Yurman and long golden tresses in a low ponytail

Prior to the event, the Olympian told CFDA: ‘Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself – fashion gave me the confidence to step on the court and own who I was, and where I knew I was going.’

‘My dream of owning my own brand, S by Serena, has become a reality and throughout my career I have been blessed to collaborate with the most established designers and the most exciting up-and-coming creatives,’ Williams continued. ‘I have had so much fun learning my style and allowing it to change as my life has evolved, but I’ve always held one thing true – fashion is for everyone, no matter your size, race, or income’

CFDA Fashion Awards 2023 WINNERS