Wow. If you haven’t seen the headlines, my girl Serena Williams was named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year – can you believe it? I can! She deserves every last bit of this incredible recognition and, I couldn’t be me excited for her. From her incredible athletic prowess to the new and exciting roles she’s recently taken on (think 2016 Pirelli calendar superstar and guest editor for Wired), there’s no one who deserves this award more than her.
“A cough and cold had her vomiting before and, for the first time, during a match: the Australian Open final, in January, which she won anyway. Bone bruises in both knees, the residue of 20 years of pounding, flared during the spring hardcourt swing and never subsided. Her focus frayed, her footwork suffering, she arrived at the French Open nursing a right elbow strain that would plague her unparalleled serve the rest of the year . . . But she refused to buckle.” (via Pop Sugar)
According to Sports Illustrated, “At times, then, it became almost easy to forget Williams’s ailments, to marvel not just at her relentlessly lethal strokes and serve but also at the pure physicality that has pushed the women’s game to a level unforeseen by Graf and certainly by Margaret Court, who holds the Grand Slam record of 24 singles titles.” She’s practically a superhero.
When it comes to women who should be recognized for their unbelievable talent and abilities, Serena certainly up there – she’s incredible, after all. Couple that with her pure passion and commitment to being the best is pretty much unparalleled – she’s a powerhouse in both body and mind.
“Williams has also shown tremendous personal growth. Though known for her tough demeanor, she admitted to loosening up a little this year. Instead of firing back at line judges and the like, she explained how she’s adopted a different approach to obstacles on the court. She said, ‘A few years ago I wouldn’t have been able to laugh. I haven’t lost that part of me; I’m very passionate on the court, but I’ve learned to be fierce more on the inside.’” (via Pop Sugar)
Congratulations to Serena on this incredible achievement!
