Serena Williams Plays World Team Tennis
This is the Second Summer She has Played for the Washington Kastles
Jul 19, 2009
On a July evening in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania—about 19 miles from Philadelphia—Williams had a Q&A with the media before the matches between the Kastles and the home team Philadelphia Freedoms. Seated before writers and photographers in a comfortable armchair, she wore a black cap, body – hugging white top and matching capri pants, and red, white and blue sneakers. Over one shoulder she carried a red bag that she noted was from her fashion line available at HSH, formerly the Home Shopping Network.
Stars Who Play WTT
Asked why she liked to play WTT, she replied that it gives her the opportunity to play in cities where she does not usually play. And she quickly noted that older sister Venus plays for the Philadelphia Freedoms. Freedoms Stadium, where the Philadelphia team plays its home matches, is located at the trendy mall known officially as the Court at King of Prussia or, more simply, the King of Prussia Mall.
WTT was founded in the 1970s. The current Advanta WTT Pro League has some of the biggest stars to ever play the game. This year Serena and her sister Venus, Andre Agassi, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Michael Chang, Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters will play. These stars are teamed with tour players and promising pros. WTT differs from the pro tour in a number of ways. One distinction is that the players compete at venues that are usually more intimate than the large center courts on which world – class players battle in the later rounds for the prestigious titles.
Williams Appears Before Public Prior to Matches
Some commentators have said that Wiliiams's many interests outside of tennis damage her game. But she stated the obvious when she said that she could not play tennis forever. She clearly is a woman who is thinking now about life after tennis. For years she has been interested in fashion. Previously, she had a fashion line called Aneres. On her website she says that when she was 18 she enrolled in college and for two years took courses, intending to get a degree that would prepare her to make contributions to the fashion industry.
In King of Prussia she also said that she was interested in acting––particularly in films—and in writing a screenplay. (Among her television acting credits are a 2005 appearance on ER and one in 2004 on Law & Order:SVU.) On this night too she was the attraction at Girls Night Out. With a second paid ticket of admission, a small fraction of the number who would see her play later in the venue which seats 3,000 got to hear her answer questions put to her by an event staffer.
On July 4, nine days before, she had won her third singles title at Wimbledon by defeating Venus. Asked how she stayed grounded, she said that she is "a spiritual person" and that she has "two wondeful parents."
Serena Williams Charitable Foundation
The interviewer pointed out that she was the only tennis player in history to come back from down match point in three different Grand Slam events to win each of them. (The Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U. S. Open are the four events in the tennis grand slam.) How did she do that? Williams replied that those wins showed the importance of "never giving up." She said that if a person keeps trying, there will be a reward.
Then she was asked to comment about the Serena Williams Foundation, which according to its website will build a school in the African nation of Senegal and will give grants to U. S. high school students so they can go to college. She responded that she "had been blessed" and that her foundation is "a way of giving back." Williams said that there is a reason she has been put in the position she is in. She plans to put her advantages to good use.
Then she left to change for the tennis court and the matchup between the Kastles and the Freedoms..
Find Out More About WTT, Including If It's Coming to Your City
Find Out More About Serena and Her Activities
Learn About Some Players Who Play WTT and the Rules of WTT
 |
 |
 |
 |
