"Should I Be On The Legends Tour?" Serena On Career Longevity
Serena Williams talks about the length of her career – and how she feels when her contemporaries retire from the sport…
Serena Williams talks about the length of her career – and how she feels when her contemporaries retire from the sport…
Chapter four of tennis’ history as a modern day Olympic sport was written in Sydney as the Games entered the new millennium and a new generation of stars looked to make their mark…
Sydney, Australia, 2000
Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Center
Hardcourt
The Olympic motto inscribed above the player’s entrance to the Sydney Olympic Tennis Center reads “Citius, altius, fortius”, and it is fitting that the player who moved faster, jumped higher and hit stronger than any other in 2000 was the one with a gold medal draped round her neck at the end of the Games.
Looking back, it is strange to think that going into the 2000 season there were question marks hanging over Venus Williams. Since breaking through at the 1997 US Open, Williams had struggled to deliver the results her talent deserved, watching her rivals – Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport and even sister, Serena – take home the major prizes.
This all changed in 2000 as Williams finally shook off her tag as tennis’ nearly woman by winning Wimbledon and the US Open. On the back of these triumphs, she arrived Down Under riding high on a 26-match winning streak and, despite not being on top of the rankings, was definitely the player to beat.
Her principal rivals for gold in Sydney were compatriots Lindsay Davenport and Monica Seles as the United States looked to continue its dominance of tennis at the Games.
However, for Davenport, who struck gold four years earlier, the Games would end early, when a foot injury forced her to withdraw prior to her second round-match with Rossana de los Ríos.
Seles, meanwhile, eager to make up for the disappointment of a quarterfinal exit in Atlanta, was in fearsome form, racing past her first four opponents and into the semifinals. Waiting for her there was Williams.
In four previous meetings between the two, Seles has won a solitary set and her fortunes were not about to change; despite a mid-match walkabout on serve, Williams always had the upper hand, eventually winning in three.
The final itself proved to be something of an anticlimax.
Few expected 18-year-old Elena Dementieva to make it that far, and for the first set she looked in a state of shock herself. By the time she did settle, it was too late, Williams had found her groove and was racing off towards the finish line.
The harder the Russian tried, the better Williams played. Whatever she attempted – inside out forehands, down the line backhands all came back with interest – merely succeeded in inspiring the American.
Before long match point had arrived, and moments later Williams was dancing round the court, racquet in one hand, flag in the other. A memorable end to a memorable summer.
——
Olympic Memories: Atlanta
Olympic Memories: Barcelona
Olympic Memories: Seoul
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni says it’s all coming together at just this right time at this Australian Open…
Play will begin at Rio’s newly built Olympic Tennis Center on Saturday, but before then the WTA’s finest have been limbering up…
Venus Williams won gold in Sydney and was working hard ahead of her record-equalling fifth Olympics.
And after practice Venus was only too happy to fulfil her sisterly duties.
Fresh from her title run in Stanford, World No.13 Johanna Konta is a dark horse in the singles.
While British No.2 Heather Watson will hope to improve on her second-round showing at London 2012.
No.2 seed Angelique Kerber was all smiles ahead of her second Olympics.
Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova and Daria Kasatkina were also hard at work on the practice courts.
Kasatkina is one of just three teenagers in the singles draw in Rio.
Venus Williams perfectly summed up what makes sports so special in a powerful answer at her Australian Open press conference.
Serena Williams says it’s important to scout her sister’s game-plan before the Australian Open final…
MELBOURNE, Australia – When Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams in the final of the Australian Open, her historic victory was felt around the world. She clinched a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam and returned to the WTA World No.1 ranking.
Here’s the best moments from Twitter as the world reacted to the 28th edition of Williams vs Williams – and Serena’ monumental victory.
It was a final nobody expected to see again – but a final that delighted the world.
Congrats @Venuseswilliams @serenawilliams I'll be recording the final so my two little girls can watch history and have strong role models
— James Blake (@JRBlake) January 26, 2017
Legends wished them luck…
Good luck @serenawilliams & @Venuseswilliams – You have both come so far from the day we met at the @WorldTeamTennis clinic in Long Beach!
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 28, 2017
Need I say more @AustralianOpen women's final!! @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams pic.twitter.com/Yxg2fzH0cj
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) January 28, 2017
…and the new generation felt like they were back in their childhoods.
Venus vs Serena. I feel like I'm 8 years old. ???
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) January 28, 2017
After all the talk, it was time to play. Some people looked on with admiration and envy.
Ok… I'm gonna need both of their serves. HEY SANTA?? Come back around, I want to trade my presents ?
— Vicky Duval (@vicky_duval95) January 28, 2017
And some people had problems deciding who to cheer for.
Loving the fans calling out “Come on, Williams!” That would totally be me.
— Katie Bee (@breakpointsaved) January 28, 2017
Serena took the first set…
How good is @SerenaWilliams when winning the 1st set?
20-0 in Grand Slam finals! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/OQRViJTnox
— WTA (@WTA) January 28, 2017
Everyone was enjoying the quality of tennis on display…
Watching these two champions battle it out! High quality tennis from the real queens of the tennis world #SerenavsVenus #AusOpen
— Leander Paes (@Leander) January 28, 2017
…and it wasn’t too long before Serena made history.
.@SerenaWilliams captures record 23rd Grand Slam title at @AustralianOpen!
Defeats Venus 6-4, 6-4! #MakeHistory #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/khMOPajHWc
— WTA (@WTA) January 28, 2017
It was her sister, the runner-up, who paid the most touching tribute.
“Serena Williams. That's my little sister guys. Your win has always been my win”
We're welling up at Venus ?https://t.co/D5SyvBR5pS pic.twitter.com/hEGwZ0bCiD
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) January 28, 2017
And the champion repaid the compliment.
#Serena, on #Venus: “There's no way I would be at [No.23] without her. Without her, the 'Williams Sisters' wouldn't exist.” #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/wGeK512QL0
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
The congratulations poured in for both champions after the historic moment of victory…
Congrats @serenawilliams on your 23rd major title and return to the top of the@WTA rankings. You are a history maker and a trailblazer.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 28, 2017
Congratulations @serenawilliams ?2️⃣3️⃣#WilliamsSisters continuing to make history, break records, and inspire. #AusOpen ??
— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) January 28, 2017
History made!! #23 #legends
— Daria Gavrilova (@Daria_gav) January 28, 2017
What a match and surreal battle we just witnessed… Two legends. Inspiration for all ????.
— Vicky Duval (@vicky_duval95) January 28, 2017
Witnessed this. History maker ?? @serenawilliams
— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) January 28, 2017
#Inspiring https://t.co/A4WCAcgkxk
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) January 28, 2017
Hey if you're gonna take an L, it may as well contribute to breaking a record. Huge congrats to @serenawilliams on 23. ??? https://t.co/MsGceFG2Nb
— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) January 28, 2017
The way they were…..#SHEROES.
Sister Act. ? pic.twitter.com/V6RWo03o09— judy murray (@JudyMurray) January 28, 2017
Doubles star Abigail Spears kicked off her final year on tour by winning her first Grand Slam title with Juan Sebastian Cabal, defeating No.2 seeds Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig in two sets.
January was defined by four breakthrough players who brought some impressive performances on and off the court. Which one soared the highest?
Have a look at the nominees for January’s Breakthrough of the Month and cast your vote before Thursday at 11:59pm ET! The winner will be announced Friday, February 3.
January 2017 WTA Breakthrough of the Month Finalists:
Katerina Siniakova: Siniakova started the season at the Shenzhen Open, where she won her first title with wins over Simona Halep and Johanna Konta before knocking out 2016 finalist Alison Riske in the championship match. The win brought the Czech youngster to a career-high ranking of No.37.
Elise Mertens: Mertens made her Top 100 debut after winning the Hobart International the week before the Australian Open. Though she missed the deadline for Melbourne qualifying, the powerful Belgian blew through the draw, roaring through qualifying to defeat top seed Kiki Bertens and Monica Niculescu in the final.
Lauren Davis: Another player to take home their maiden WTA title was young American Lauren Davis, who started the year at the ASB Classic. Unseeded in Auckland, Davis beat four seeds to the title, including Bertens, Barbora Strycova, Jelena Ostapenko, and Ana Konjuh.
CoCo Vandeweghe: Vandeweghe made her major breakthrough at the Australian Open, getting back-to-back wins over two of 2016’s three Grand Slam champions in World No.1 Angelique Kerber and Garbiñe Muguruza. Making her first Grand Slam semifinal, the American pushed eventual finalist Venus Williams to three tough sets.
2016 Winners:
January: Zhang Shuai
February: Jelena Ostapenko
March: Nicole Gibbs
April: Cagla Buyukakcay
May: Kiki Bertens
June: Elena Vesnina
July: Kristina Kucova
August: Karolina Pliskova
September: Naomi Osaka
October: Peng Shuai
How it works:
Finalists are selected by wtatennis.com
Winner is then determined by a fan vote on wtatennis.com
World No.9 Madison Keys is into the semifinals of the Olympic tennis event in Rio on her debut appearance. Earlier this week, the American sat down with the New York Times to discuss her beauty and health regimen and how she keeps it up despite traveling the world week in and week out.
For Keys, who is constantly under the sun, skin care is the most important thing:
The first thing I put on is sunscreen. I do it within 15 minutes of waking up so I’m protected by the time I’m out the door.
I use moisturizer only at night — Philosophy Hope in a Jar. Two or three times a week, I do a Caudalíe face mask. It’s a purifying one because I have combination skin, and I’m sweating so often. It can be really tough to keep clear skin, especially if you’re wearing a visor. It’s just sitting on your head, and you break out underneath it. It can be a disaster.
And here’s her sage approach to diet and exercise:
“I have to eat pretty healthy to stay in shape, but a big part of my diet is having that occasional dessert. My favorite is Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream. But I have to watch it. I’m lactose intolerant, so sometimes I’ll do the Ben & Jerry’s lactose-free line.
For a tennis player, the toughest part of training is the off-season. That’s when we’re doing tons of tough fitness — maybe two to three hours in the gym. Obviously as you get closer to the tournaments, you spend more time on the court. Right now, I’m spending two and a half to three hours on the court every day.”
Check out her New York Times feature to hear what the Olympic semifinalist has to say about hair care, her go-to makeup, acupuncture and more.