{
  "id": 12904904,
  "title": "Serena Williams gets Barbie signature doll based on 2005 Australian Open win",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/serena-williams-gets-barbie-signature-doll-based-on-2005-australian",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T16:16:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/serena-williams-gets-barbie-signature-161607685.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Serena Williams, the renowned tennis champion with 23 Grand Slam titles, has become the latest sports star to receive a signature Barbie doll from Mattel, Inc. The doll pays homage to Williams' 2005 Australian Open victory, showcasing her iconic green-and-white look. This is Williams' second Barbie of 2026, following a March release celebrating International Women's Day. In her statement, Williams emphasized the doll's significance, stating that she aimed to inspire young girls to dream big, work hard, break barriers, and become anything they choose. The Barbie doll, priced at $45, includes a racket and ball. Williams made a brief return to tennis this season, participating in Wimbledon and doubles events, where she teamed up with her sister Venus. Despite a knee injury, the sisters faced off against Naomi Joint in the U.S. Open, ultimately losing in a three-set match. Williams received the inaugural \"Barbie Dream Fest Icon\" award earlier this year, recognizing her as a leader and change-maker. Other notable athletes with Barbie dolls include Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty, and Evonne Goolagong Cawley.",
  "summary": "From the department of “This hasn’t happened already?”: Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion and the greatest women’s tennis player of the modern era, now has a signature Barbie — for the sport she dominated. Mattel, Inc., which owns the Barbie franchise, announced Thursday that the doll, based on Williams’ 2005 Australian Open title win, would be released immediately. It echoes her…",
  "key_points": [
    "Serena Williams receives Barbie doll for 2005 Australian Open win.",
    "Williams second Barbie of 2026, following International Women's Day doll.",
    "Doll includes racket and ball, priced at $45."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Serena Williams helped build Jamaica school giving free education to 80 kids",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/serena-williams-helped-build-jamaica-school-giving-free-education-to",
        "published": "2026-10-08T14:27:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}