THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING STORY. FROM THIS I GATHER NO-MATTER HOW HARD YOU THINK YOUR GOING ITS PROBABLY NOT HARD ENUFF .
Serena Double Faulting on Legacy
I am the best.
I am power. I am history. I am smarts. I am beauty.
I=2 0am intimidation. I am determination.
I am unstoppable. I am limitless.
Just working on a Serena Williams shoe commercial here. The only one of these things she has actually said was the first one. “Quite frankly,” she said, “I’m the best in the world.”
It’s true. She is. The best. All of those other things are true, too.
How about this one?
I am Tiger Woods.
No, she’s not. But she should be. Every last thing you see in Woods, every reason we watch him and love him, she should be, too. In fact, she should be more.
Serena Williams should be bigger than Tiger Woods. Why isn’t she?
“Honestly, I think I lost because of me and not because of anything she did.”
That’s what Williams said Wednesday after losing 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 7-5 to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals of the French Open.
“It makes me realize that, you know, had I done different things, I would have been able to win.”
And that says everything about Williams. Why isn’t Serena bigger than Tiger?
It’s because of her.
She has grumbled about her ranking, which is No. 2. When Dinara Safina moved to No. 1, that’s when Williams made her quite-frankly statement.
And her fans have grumbled about race. You can’t ignore the relationship between her race and her sport. Maria Sharapova, a gigantic Barbie doll and the ideal white tennis playing stereotype, gets more endorsements than Williams, who is beauty in a different, less traditionally tennis way. She is thick and muscular. And black.
I’m not sure she realizes how important she can be. But the biggest problem is Williams herself. She has done this to herself through lack of commitment, lack of fitness.
Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but her career is a failure so far because she could have=2 0been so much more.
I am out of shape. I am enjoying my celebrity. I am fully committed and prepared to win four to six weeks a year, during the majors.
This tournament was a typical mess for Williams. She arrived carrying a little too much weight, nearly lost to a nobody — Klara Zakopalova? — while moping through her first match.
She was booed. She accused another player of cheating. She only decided to turn it on in the fourth round. Serena Time, someone called it. And she didn’t argue. And then she lost, “because of me.”
That’s the whole problem.
Tiger Woods is the picture of fitness. At the TPC a few weeks ago, the question was whether he was too muscular for his own swing. Serena Williams showed up maybe her heaviest ever at the Australian Open two years ago and won anyway.
Tiger Woods skips plenty of tournaments, but when he’s there, he’s there to kill. Serena Williams showed up the tournament before the French, played one set and left. She said she was too hurt to come at all, but came because the tour mandated that she play. If she hadn’t, she would have been fined $75,000.
“I don’t know about you, but $75,000 is a lot of money to me,” Williams said. “I’m redecorating a house, and $75,000 is my furniture budget, some stairs … I can’t just go writing checks for $75,000 in this economy.”
I am eyeing a c haise lounge.
Williams has won 10 majors, but she could dominate this game, dominate the sports world. She could win everything, be the best ever, like Tiger, and wipe away Sharapova. And she could mean so much more.
Consider not only her talent, but also her marketing edge. Think about American pop culture and what draws people, advertisers. Be honest: If Williams were fit and focused, this is what you’d have: A beautiful, strong woman dominating a sport where everyone is a fit woman in skimpy clothes.
That sells.
Tiger wears slacks and plays a slow game against a bunch of middle-aged guys. This is not meant as a rip job on Serena, but as a plea to her. Five years. Just give it five years of commitment for your legacy, for your sport, for young girls.
True, this isn’t all her fault. Not 100 percent.
The pressure of sex appeal is on a woman much more than a man. When I’ve mentioned Sharapova and Barbie dolls before, in contrast to Williams, I’ve inevitably gotten e-mails from black women telling me that Williams’ curves are not just diet, that this is about an African-American woman’s body type.
There is something galling about Sharapova being the richest female athlete in the world when she has accomplished so much less than Williams. A few years ago, Forbes Magazine said that Sharapova made $23 million, and Williams $14 million.
“That’s totally a black thing,” said Sonny Vaccaro, the former shoe company rep who created the=2 0Shoe Wars by pitting sneaker companies against each other to get athletes to represent them. “If Serena and [her sister] Venus would have been named Chrissy [Evert] and Steffi [Graf], they would have made $100 million, no question. These girls, in my estimation, probably made less of their fame financially than anyone I have seen.”
Bob Williams, CEO of Burns Entertainment & Sports Marketing, Inc., a Chicago-based company that matches celebrities with advertisers, disagrees.
“If you look over the last 15 years of the top endorsers, you see at least half of them are African-Americans,” he said. “So I don’t think you can make the argument that it’s racial at all. Fortunately for Maria and unfortunately for Serena, most people consider Maria’s looks to be at a model-type level.
“But part of it is the international factor in Europe; Serena does not have that. But also, there’s no doubt that Tiger is the best golfer to carry a club, or second best to Nicklaus. MJ was no doubt the greatest player of his era, maybe the greatest of all time. With Serena, you can’t make that argument. She doesn’t play for a while because she wants to do other stuff, and her game kind of suffers, and then she comes back. She wins majors, but she doesn’t win enough other tournaments to be No. 1.”
She won one non-major last year.
Yes, black athletes get endorsements, but those are black men. But appearance and the white ideal are a much bigger issue for women. Serena Williams shou ldn’t have to come in behind Sharapova as tennis’ It Girl. Instead, she can change the model.
I am that good.
If she stayed fit, and fought hard the way Woods does, she would win everything, and create a new ideal.
For years, she listed herself as 5-9, 134 pounds. Now, she says 150. And she weighs way more than that. Why lie? Why play into the false ideals, telling young girls out there that the ideal is blonde and thin?
You don’t have to be 5-9, 134 to win Wimbledon. But that’s the message she pushes.
Come on Serena. This kind of talent doesn’t come around often. We don’t see too many Serena Williams. Fight hard, get fit — and you still won’t be anywhere near 134 pounds — stay committed, bypass Woods and get out the word:
I am the best possible me. I am better than a Barbie. I am stronger than a Tiger.
Nina
Wow, that is a powerful article, who wrote that? There are some real words in that one, I have to agree it does take hard work and commitment to get to the top. My granny always said “you can never work hard enough!” That is something to live by.
Cinematic
Serena is the Greatest Women’s tennis player ever, 80 or 200 lbs. She could probably kill the entire men’s division. I don’t know how to take this. In one sense it’s like words of encouragement to look at a bigger picture and create a great legacy. On the other hand it’s say’n strive to fit the tennis mold. I’m confused.
tommy
you speaking from personal exp it takes personal drive to take yourself to the next level and I have to agree that serena could b should b so much more its not bout the why you look. well not totally, you look at micheal jordan, tiger woods, federer, and martina hingis. it was about the way they played their sport n took it to a higher level and the way they played the game. when they played they drove themseles to win at all cost. but made the sport from the way they played into art. thats what ppl love about them. and off the court it was that accessibility to the public and made them more appealing. no woman so far after martina is doing that yet. Ivanovic is the closest to being able to and the sad ting is since the williams no other black girls have pushed to help try break the mould. A PERSONS DEMEANOUR OFF THE COURT AND THE WAY THEY PLAY ON IT WILL DETERMINE WHAT COMES. TURN THE WAY YOU DO THINGS INTO ART.
SweetnessNLight
Wow!!! It really goes to show you how much work you have to put in consistently to be the best and stay on top. To be able to sustain that over a long period of time takes a tremendous amount of discipline.
kiwi_baby_gurl
Hey JD, Check out Young C-Note!!!
myspace.com/youngcnotemusic
E- Nice
I totally agree with this article. She has accomplished more that Maria. Athletes and entertainers need to understand that this is your JOB. You are PAID to do this. I understand that she may want to venture to other things but tennis should be her top priority.
raven
Honestly, women are always getting judge on there body type.
peace and cheese
ever think that maybe some of these athletes don’t bring in that type of endorsement money as others may be due to their full commitment to the sport and playing the sport to the best of their ability as a higher priority than to be seen holding a product and smiling? if you love the game and all it represents, you’re making more time to play hard and practice and compete than to get photographed next to a product that you probably don’t use yourself. some people have the time to compete AND sell things and some people don’t.
this article is pure bullshyt in so many ways. people have been shyting on serena for so many things and no matter what she does, they will still find ways to shyt on her some more: her figure, her grunts on the tennis court, can she do it, did she just do that, she hits harder than a man, she’s not chasing down the ball, she put on too much weight; damn, she moves fast, she got hurt, AGAIN; she should be playing more, she’s too emotional on the court, she doesn’t play better than her sister, she plays better than her sister, she shouldn’t make so much money so young, she got an endorsement deal with hewlett packer, i can’t believe she’s a jehovah’s witness, she takes the focus off the game of tennis itself, she won us the gold in beijeng, she’ll never be the top player; wow, she is the top player, AGAIN; why is she designing clothes, who’s gonna wear that, what the hell is she wearing, she’s so gracious, her muscle tone is incredible, she’s too muscular, she’s arrogant, she lost her confidence, we’re proud of her; she lost, AGAIN.
she knows what’s she’s doing and she’s doing what she wants. comparing her to the celebrity, fortune, technique and abilities of tiger woods is a disgrace and a slap in the face to anyone with the least bit of common sense let alone anyone who has played either or both sports in their lifetime. these are 2 different fields of sport, 2 different genders and 2 different set of circumstances. no one (including her father, which the tennis world attempted to rip apart from day 1) can be more critical of serena williams and her abilities or potential than serena williams.
Bugati Brown
This article reminds me push harder and harder everyday. Some times you never know how little work you are doing until you see the efforts and fruit of some one going harder. “Potential isn’t much of an action word.” -Samuel Brown II
Qudoubleen
Serena is speaking the truth when she says if she loses she beat herself. She is the best in the world, she just has more than one love. Tennis is her first love but it seems somewhere along the line she fell for other things. Got mad love for Serena she is a beast on the court.
peace and cheese
and greg couch is an ass.
Addis
Serena is women’s tennis, I bet no one watches this years French Open final. Because if she’s not there no one cares who wins, the WTA knows it, even Mary Carillo says that Serena is the most gifted person tennis had EVER seen, so I’ll tune into Wimbledon and the U.S. Open and watch as long as Venus & Serena are there they lose and it’s nothing left but “ova’s” I’m gone.
shavondenise
Very interesting! I feel like it is about 70% sexism and prejudice about 30% her. The thing is, how can we say its her when she’s just being her? Donald Trump can be an ass and its acceptable but for some reason a woman has to be meek and soft spoken for her to be famous! Its a double standard BUT in tennis there is ALOT of prejudices. Anytime the chick (whatever her name is) that dates Enrique Iglesia can get more exposure than the top tennis players in the world (Serena & Venus) and she SUCKS its crazy. I just feel like some people just dont get that the most discriminated against person in America is the Black female. You have to be damn near Oprah & or Michelle Obama to get any respect and even they get talked about because they’re not the “classic beauty” (shoot out to Iman). It nuts. But its life. I just know that women like Serena are the ones I look up to because of the fact she’s herself and doesnt conform.
AHVNLYME
Wow!!! I read this article on AOL homepage this morning. I felt deeply for her. She is under a tremendous amount of pressure to be the best. Not just from the media and fans, but to be the best for herself. The thing is who are we to say tennis should be #1 on her list. It should only be #1 if she makes it #1. How often do we tell people to follow their dreams and that whatever they set their minds to, they can acheive? She has done alot for tennis from bringing a CHAMP of color up close and personal, to a little style, to opening up opportunities for other youth to come in behind her. We see how great she is and the potential for even more greatness, so we assume she should get every praise out there for the sport, but at the end of the day she has to look herself in the mirror. For all we know she is branching out to other things because it’s those other things that she is more passionate about and those things help her feel fulfilled. Now, be honest…..When have you straight up said, “My job is number one” “My dreams and aspirations are mearly thoughts and suggestions”? Chances are we all strive to do what it really is that we dream of doing, but we still keep our job, giving it only enough to get a paycheck all the while doing things that is gonna put us closer to that dream. That could be her deal. Ok… let me stop…yall feel me
AHVNLYME
….. that still doesn’t mean you don’t do your job properly to get that paycheck. Everyone who has a job has goals set or should have. You meet those goals and keep it movin to the next project.
Beverley
Wow its a lot to think bout!!!
some fair points in there!! maybe not stated in the best of ways .
i love her still!!!
peace and cheese
@ shavondenise
that’s anna kournikova and she hasn’t played since 2003 (i think). her record is nothing close to serena williams’ yet she got more attention than serena.
@Addis
i agree: if neither are there, no one will really give a damn. they bring life to the sport not seen since (just my opinion) the days of agassi (before the camera endorsement deals) and the early capriati years.
chynab
wow love this article, it makes u think about more about how women are looked at differently than men, i watched some of the matches and was disappointed in how both venus and serena played they are the only reason i got into tennis, and for serena to lie about her wait disgust me y as females and more importantly bllack women think that we have to be slim, thin, little wasted and all that mess when thats just not how we are built i understand the being in shape but when u r at ur fittest u well never be w/o those curves, i mean i workout to stay in shape but not to try and lose what i have been blessed with….
Jai2178
Wow- I don’t know if you wrote that or not JD but that was real. Powerful and real. I hope Serena reads it and really takes in the meaning. And it she still thinks it all racial she needs to read Dreams from My Father by Pres. Barack Obama. It explains a lot.
Do it for the legacy sista!
Minnie
I don’t know about this article.
“I am out of shape. I am enjoying my celebrity. I am fully committed and prepared to win four to six weeks a year, during the majors.”
What’s that about? I don’t get how the author can make that assumption. He’s not in Serena’s head to know what she is thinking or feeling.
I haven’t watched tennis in a minute so I can’t say who is the best in the game right now, but I know that at the very top of their game the Williams sisters were the best. And even at their best they still didn’t receive the endorsement deals that males and white females received, which is a disgrace. They created a new ideal in women’s tennis and still didn’t get as much recognition. But we all know that when you are black AND female you have to give 200% to get the same recognition as those that have 1/4th the talent.
Hdub
Do not trip on me. but i am a janet fan and i lurk in here every once in a while and reading this article really made me think of my gurl janet. why is homegirl resting on her laurels, not to say she did not bring it with her last albums or even that tour that should have gone ‘on and on’ but i mean come on its janet, j.d. you better relay this to your woman we are counting on her to do this. “I am not sure she realizes how important she can be.”
Ericinho
Hey JD,
I’m a lifer and i have never before commneted on your article but this is the best.You went straight 100 on this and yes i do believe Serena is the best if she is focused.Live the life
E
Aura
It goes to show how much Serena and Venus means to the black community that they are still wanted and needed as role models and achievers. But with that said.. there are tons of tennis players who burned out doing what that article suggests .. Tennis players who retired at the age of 25 or younger. Venus will be 29 and Serena will be 28 and they are still playing their game against people younger than them. Their outside interests are what keep them grounded. They know what and who they will be when they retire.. and it won’t be Tennis Announcers or Personalities. Venus will run her company V-Starr and Serena will be selling her accessories and both will do their chairty work. The other stars of tennis well of the WTA do not have the status nor the game. The media has taken Serena’s statements out of context and she has been ripped apart because nobody ever really reads the full interviews. Their are Tennis message boards where Serena and Venus are called gorillas, on HGB, on Steroids and most of the negative racial posts are from white people but there are some blacks joining in. We have become so negative in how we see ourselves and our black stars that it is becoming truly discouraging to read comments on posts about either Serena or her sister Venus.
Kafhi
Damn nigga you went in on serena, but it aint just her so many athletes/artist of this generation are guilty of the same thing. They disrespect their sport/craft by half assing and therefore get left making excuses. Fact of the matter is she doesn’t have enough respect for herself to know that her play/conditioning is representing herself, and she is now no longer playing for a championship. That being said niggas like tiger woods, lil wayne, kobe bryant should be commended for their desire and continious drive to be the best. its now to the point were they are playing and drying to out do themselves and the rest will take care of itself.
shavondenise
Some of you must think that JD wrote this article about Serena… He didnt!! He just posted it for us to talk about something interesting and have a conversation. Its called a good blog
peace and cheese
this article/blog/editorial was written by greg couch (which is why i said, “he’s an ass”) and not jd. i don’t know how greg couch spins this bullshyt into a “serena is holding herself back and she should be ashamed of herself” pep talk but he’s dead wrong and i hope she gets lube-free and deep in his ass for this.
no matter how well she performs and no matter how many titles she holds, there will always be someone with “hate in their blood”.
peace and cheese
besides, she’s got nothing left to prove because she already won everything at least once. her critics can’t say the same for themselves.
Caroline Bryant
Anna Kournikova is one of the sexiest russian tennis players i have ever seen. Russian tennis players are really pretty eh.’;~
Linsey Bloomberg
Serena Williams is tough…she makes her first round opponent go quietly at wimbledon
Ian Henderson
Anna Kournikova is so damn sexy but Maria Sharapova is prettier~~”
Lily Evans
Maria Sharapova’s legs are truly awesome and she also got a pretty face.*”
Hand Winch
mario sharapova is definitely a goddess, she is very pretty and sexy*,`
london-Milani
Wow!!! What can we say it moving!! It’s so hard being in the spotlight especially for celebrities who always being judge plus expected to be on top of there A-Game. But we are all human beings striving for what makes us happy, every one has a passionate we just have to figure out what it is, then go for it!!! Serena keeps pressing on…do what makes you happy and the hell with everyone else.
Thatswhatsupnow.com