The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, a WNBA MVP, sneaker mogul, and all-around philosopher, took a moment in 2023 to channel Bruce Lee—and yes, it was about shoes. When tennis star Leylah Fernandez swapped her usual court-friendly kicks for the Puma Stewie 2s during a US Open game, Stewart couldn’t resist reposting the news with a classic bit of Lee-inspired advice:
“Be like water.”
Now, before you imagine Fernandez practicing roundhouse kicks mid-match or wielding nunchucks on the court, let’s clarify. The Canadian tennis ace ditched her tennis sneakers for basketball shoes during the tournament—not because of a sponsorship deal, mind you, but because she wanted to.
In the words of Tim Newcomb, a tennis journalist who originally broke the story, “Fernandez has a Lululemon apparel deal & wore On’s The Roger Pro shoe. In NYC she switched to the Puma Stewie 2 women’s basketball shoe (water colorway) on her own w/ no Puma deal.”
Talk about free marketing. Breanna Stewart, spotting this unexpected (and admittedly genius) crossover, reposted Newcomb’s report, sprinkling it with just a touch of Bruce Lee zen. Of course, Lee’s original monologue from the 1971 TV series Longstreet is much lengthier and dives deep into adaptability and self-improvement:
“Be like water making its way through cracks… You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Apparently, Fernandez took this advice quite literally—she flowed right into the Liberty star’s signature basketball shoes.
But here’s the kicker (pun intended): the Stewie 2s didn’t just steal the show at the US Open. They also cemented Stewart’s reputation not just as an athlete but as a branding powerhouse. Sneakerheads and tennis fans alike buzzed over Fernandez’s bold move, and suddenly, basketball shoes had a new place in tennis lore.
Stewart’s 2024 Adaptability: A True Water Moment
Stewart, embodying Lee’s teachings in her own way, helped the Liberty secure their first-ever WNBA title in 2024. With 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, she adapted, flowed, and occasionally crashed her way through opponents like a tidal wave.
And just as water reshapes its environment, Stewart reshaped the Liberty roster—though not without heartache. When the Liberty lost Kayla Thornton to the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA expansion draft, Stewart’s farewell on Instagram was a poignant moment.
“Love you @k_thornton💔,” she wrote, also noting her daughter’s dismay at the news. Even water has its sentimental side.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the takeaway? Whether you’re a tennis star eyeing basketball shoes, a WNBA champ quoting martial arts legends, or just someone trying to keep your kicks fresh, there’s wisdom to be found in Lee’s words. Adapt, adjust, and, if the moment calls for it, switch to basketball shoes mid-tournament.
Because, as Breanna Stewart and Leylah Fernandez showed us: sometimes, you’ve just got to be like water.
