Rennae Stubbs (left) and Serena Williams (right) © Instagram/@rennaestubbs Nancy Singh Tue, October 20, 2026 at 11:04 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serena Williams' coach, Rennae Stubbs, has pushed back against criticism of the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries after players from both teams walked off the court before the national anthem ahead of their WNBA Finals games.
The controversy emerged during Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, played on Oct. 17 and 19 at San Francisco's Chase Center. Players from both teams left the court before "The Star-Spangled Banner" was performed and returned after the anthem ended.
While the WNBA rulebook still outlines expectations for players, coaches, and trainers to stand in a dignified posture during the national anthem, the league suspended its anthem-related protocols in 2017, allowing teams to make collective decisions about pregame ceremonies. Despite this, one user on Threads criticized the teams for leaving the court, arguing that the league was failing to enforce its rules.
"Both WNBA Finals teams walked off the court during the national anthem. The league has a RULE requiring players to stand and they just… didn't enforce it. Some NFL players tried this. The NBA tried this. Fans rejected it both times. But sure, the WNBA will be the exception. Good luck with that. This league needs to be closed."
The post caught Stubbs' attention, prompting her to challenge the user's claim and ask a question about the anthem performance.
"Flat out lie! Also tell me sang the national anthem tonight! Without google."
Stubbs has frequently spoken out on WNBA-related controversies. She recently pushed back against comparisons between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese's drawing power, arguing that the league continues to attract fans to games beyond those featuring the two stars.
Serena Williams' coach, Rennae Stubbs, previously defended Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello after the Australian coach faced criticism for calling Angel Reese a "protected species." The incident occurred during a July 17 WNBA game after Toronto's Nyara Sabally was injured during a physical play involving Reese. A hot microphone caught Brondello arguing with officials and saying, "Angel, she's a protected species."
Brondello subsequently faced backlash and issued a public apology, explaining that she had used a common Australian sporting expression. Stubbs defended her former colleague in a post on Threads, arguing that the comment referred to perceived preferential treatment by officials rather than Reese's race.
"A former colleague and coach who is a black women said the exact same thing. Are you going to attack her too? Or are you going to maybe listen to the people who personally know Sandy and know the person she is. And as an Australian i can tell u, that comment is not about color of someone's skin but of bad refereeing in sports, from one's eyes. Sandy is literally the kindest person you could ever meet and "not a racist!" That quote from her former colleague," Serena Williams' coach wrote.
Rennae Stubbs has coached Serena Williams across two distinct periods, including a brief stint for the 2022 US Open and a current coaching partnership that began in March 2026 for the American's tennis comeback after an almost four-year break.
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