Serena Williams Serves as Tennis Role Model
The 11-time Grand Slam Winner is an Inspiration to Young and Old
Jul 30, 2009
Williams, who's older sister Venus is also a star attraction on the WTA Tour, addressed the issue of race in America after winning her second-round match at the Bank of the West Classic, played at Stanford University.
"A lot of white people voted for Obama," Williams said. "I can only only hope things are changing and the outlook is a lot better. But it's not just him. There are many African-Americans in society, like Colin Powell, Michelle (Obama) and Condoleezza Rice, who are positive role models."
She also addressed the recent situation in which Obama criticized the way Sgt. James Crowley arrested Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. Both were invited to the White House.
"There's still a long way to go but it's definitely a good start," Williams said. "There have been a lot of mistakes lately in the police force as far as killings. You don't always know for sure what is going on in those situations."
Tennis and Life Fusion
Williams, who has won 11 Grand Slam titles and 34 WTA Tour titles, nearly destroyed her career when she injured her left knee while dancing in heels in a Los Angeles club, a fact she only recently revealed.
"I never did tell my parents how it happened," she said. "I'm still nervous about that. It's embarrassing. I never went back to that place."
The setback became a step forward in her personal relationships. With nothing but time, she spent a summer with her sister Yetunde, who passed away in September of 2003.
"Maybe it happened for a reason because I have zero regrets," Williams said. "Looking back, I think 'wow' maybe it happened because I would never have that time again with my sister."
Another turning point came after she had dropped to as low as 140th in the rankings in 2006 after a series of injuries conspired to limit her playing for two years.
After finishing the 2006season ranked 95th, she visited Africa, causing an important shift in her attitude.
"It kind of inspired me to stay and remain tough no matter what condition I was in," she said. "I saw a lot of stuff there that helped my career and my personality."
From No. 1 to No. 140 and Back Again
Her travels fueled a renewed passion for her sport.
"I realized that I wanted to do what I do best and I think that is to play tennis," Williams said. "It's definitely important to be true to yourself. I've always loved playing tennis and I loved going out and playing well. I just needed to recover and so once I was able to recover I put the work in. Since the end of 2006 I've been trying to be super conducive."
Williams also became super successful, working her way back to the No. 1 ranking after a record absence of five years. She went a career-long two years between titles, winning the Australian Open in 2005 and then again in 2007.
She's not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon.
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