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Swooning for Serena WilliamsI used to have a crush on Serena Williams' arms. I mean, have you seen them?
But now I'm developing a crush on the whole woman, not just her arms or other admirable parts. The whole is much greater than the sum. Serena has the killer bod, but she also has the killer attitude to go with it. The new Nike campaign perfectly serves her sassiness:
And then there's her infectious smile and the way she still gets all excited when she sees someone she knows in the crowd.
But what really gets me swooning is — dare I say this about someone who could kick my ass all the way to Wimbledon? — Serena's adorkable goofiness. Witness some whiffs of geekery, as well as her appreciation of her own bootyliciousness, in this HP commercial: I know, I know: There's little to no chance Serena will ever serve for our side. But I also know who I'll be rooting for in tonight's quarterfinal match. Justine Henin may have skills, but she has zero charisma, especially next to smooth, svelte (and sometimes silly) Serena. And an all-Williams semifinal would be a sweet way to finish up the summer.
Bonne chance, Henin (and those random -ovas and -ovics who have squeaked their way through this year's weird draws). You'll need it: Those Williams sisters cast long, fierce shadows.
Submitted by on September 4, 2007 - 12:54pm. |
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Williams
Serena all the way. Just luv that pic for nike. But I have to say that Serena scares me a bit. Just don't want to be on her bad side one day. Those arms facinates me and creep me out at the same time. LOL
Have to say that I like her sister too. The williams sisters r just that great.
Serena
Yup
I've never been a huge Serena fan, especially because when Jennifer Capriati was on her major come-back campaign, Serena was always in the way, lol. The grunt matches were hilarious though.
Henin reminds me of Martina Hingis. The "world owes me something" type of player. All mouth but nothing to back it up.
For tennis fans though, Steffi Graf was interviewed with Andre on Real Sports on HBO. Damn I miss watching her play.
Capriati
To me Capriati's comeback
To me Capriati's comeback was one of the greatest experiences in women's sports history. Considering all of the trials she endured to play again, and to come back with such power and grace was very moving. Of course it follows the Women's World Cup final of 99, but I'm a little biased, I'm a huge soccer fan.
I miss the rivalry between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. I am still to this day and die hard Graf fan. That woman could play the game and she was one of the most down to earth athletes I have ever encountered. I wish some of these current players would learn a few things from players like Graf, Jean-King, Martina, and Chris Everett.
She is Hot
ok, so
here's the thing about serena. while no one doubts her physical abilities on court, i have to say, her personality doesn't win me over. i once - believe it or not - found myself standing next to her at a tournament, and MAN. she is HUUUGE! like, pounds and pounds of muscle. i had a sudden flashback to kids in the hall - I squish your head! I digress...
No doubt she's changed women's tennis, the way they play, and consequently the way they train, (you wanna return a 115mph serve? start hittin' those weights over there).
When the Williams sisters first made waves, they were known for their candor, but unfortunately not known for their eloquence. While I wasn't hoping for a Fulbright scholar, I have to say, reading some of her interviews made Serena out to be a mightier-than-thou kinda girl.
However, I think the months they spent out of the public eye,and out of major tournaments might have given them perspective. Those photos of Serena are nice, indeedy. But if she can charm the journalists like she can charm the photographers, then she just might win me over.
Love the Ad
I'm not a big fan of the HP ad, but the Nike ad is fabulous.
Also, as an FYI: They've changed the date of the Venus Williams-Jelena Jankovic match-up to Wednesday night to provide for a wider television audience.i'm decidedly uninterested
i'm decidedly uninterested in a williams-williams semifinal. although the williams sisters have made numerous contributions to tennis, not least of which is elevating the women's game to an unheard of level of athleticism and power, when they play each other it is always boring and full of errors and generally uninspired play. i'm just underwhelmed by serena: she is wasting her talents coming into tournaments not in top shape and barely playing matches beyond the grand slams, and she's never once had a positive thing to say about another player.
i'm surprised by the anti-henin sentiment. she's not #1 in the world for nothing. for one thing she plays in and wins tournaments. lifetime she's won 3 out of the 4 grand slams, and 6 total (the same as venus). she's basically unbeatable on clay. she's got the sweetest backhand ever. and unlike most tennis players she can actually carry on a conversation-in two languages.
There are many bilingual ....
tennis players out there. Incase you forgot Justine's first language is not English like many other foregin players, she as well as Rafee Nadal had to learn to speak English. Andre Agasii, Roger Fedeer (I know I am so butchering their names please forgive me) Sharapova, and many others speak more than your common English.
I agree that some times games between the two sisters can seem boring...well not boring but not to the best of their ability due to the stress of having your sister, and best friend as your competitor. I play tennis and it's one thing to play a family member for fun but another when there is a title on the line.
Anyhow I love the girls and I would love to serve a ball to Serena then run out of her way when she returns it.=0 ( I bow down to you Ms. Williams) Man have you seen her face when she gets mad I'm so glad i have never been on the opposite of her glares or screams!
Wow. Those arms are
Wow. Those arms are steroidific!
A monopoly on the sport
Personally, I can't wait until everyone stops talking about the Williams sisters--especially their egomaniac father--and gets back to discussing the merits of all the players and not just how good they are at returning a Williams serve. I'll admit that their serves are a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time that's mostly what Serena's game is based on, resulting in either over-too-quickly matches or complete upsets by younger players who are completely prepared for her power serve.
It's just unfortunate that it's gotten to the point where someone can point out the #12 player in the world but not the #1--especially when it's Justine Henin, who really deserves that top spot after the year she's had.
(P.S. Even though she's not around anymore, I also felt something similar about Kournikova: a player who got far too much publicity for doing far too little, thereby reducing the sport to nothing more than a glamor contest.)
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
Seriously...
I'll agree with you on your comments about Richard Williams...I think even the Williams sisters have grown tired of his incessant media grabs...but comparing the Williams Sisters to Anna Kournikova? That's crazy.
You're comparing two of the most talented (and successful) players in the history of tennis to someone who never won a single tournament? The Williams Sister might be overly exposed, but they've got a record that proves them deserving.
I never said they were
I never said they were comparable in playing ability, just in that their off-court reputations precede them no matter what they actually do do on the court. Nor, for that matter, did I say that either of the Williams sisters were undeserving of their victories.
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
Clarify
I realize what you said...I think you misunderstand my point.
It's ridiculous to compare someone who's never won a single tournament and gets attention to the Williams sisters who get attention and have, between them, won practically every women's tournament in the game.
My point, basically, is: Venus and Serena have earned their place in the spotlight. Kournikova did not.
I never said otherwise about
I never said otherwise about your basic point, which I did understand the first time around.
If you find what I said ridiculous, then you think my opinion is ridiculous, and I can't argue otherwise. While I agree that it's impossible to compare either Williams sister to Kournikova play-wise, which I didn't do in my initial comment, I still think it's possible to compare them off the court in terms of publicity, press, etc. If you don't feel, the same way, then we just have to agree to disagree.
And lest anyone think I'm hating on the Williams sisters, I actually like Venus; it's just her sister I'm not particularly fond of.
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
Serena's game is much more than her serve
Could not disagree with you more. I agree that the media needs to stop talking about Richard, but to say that her serve is mostly what Serena's game is based on is wrong. Serena has one of the best returns of the game and an amazing ability to generate points off of both hers and her opponents' serve. You will see that if you watch her matches or even listen to the commentators.
The reason that the Williams sisters and other non #1 players are pointed out is simply because they are still the best players regardless of their ranking. Ranking goes up and down based on how many tournaments you play and your result in the tournament. If you don't play as many tournaments or are injured and cannot play then your ranking goes down. This doesn't mean that you have suddenly become a bad player. It also means that someone who plays all possible tournaments and manages to have a high ranking because of it, isn't necessarily a better player than a lower ranked player. Case in point, Mauresmo managed to hold the #1 spot for 5 weeks despite not winning a major at that time. One can argue she is not necessarily a better player than the William sisters or even Henin-Hardenne. So the ranking system is definitely flawed and cannot the the only thing that determines a player's ability to win a tournament.
I also have to agree with the other commenter that comparing the attention that Serena gets to Kournikova is very unfair. We all know that she got the attention for her looks. But whatever attention serena gets, she has proven time and time again that she deserves it because she is a very good player.
Please don't assume that
Please don't assume that I've never actually seen Serena Williams play. I watch nearly every single game Serena plays in the Grand Slams (I am watching one right now), and the thing that everyone focuses on most is her serve. "Oh, Bartoli will have to find a way around that serve if she's going to beat Serena." "Oh, Henin will have to up her serve to get as many aces as Serena." I actually think that her return is nowhere near as focused as her serve, though it is equally strong. Obviously, her game can't JUST be her serve, but that seems to be anything anyone talks about, and what everyone focuses on beating. It devolves into a matter of who can hit the ball hardest.
As for the rankings, I also know how the system works. I was merely pointing out, perhaps in a too simplified manner, that a player who DOESN'T play in as many tournaments as another player is more well-known than a player who competes in a great number of tournaments and wins many of her matches. So how could she be so well-known? Either by winning several majors in a row--which many popular players haven't done in some time--or by keeping herself in the public eye through other means. I'm sure this is true of other players in their respective countries.
I also don't think the ranking system is much of an indication of one's ability to win a tournament; just look at what happened to Sharapova.
See my comment above about the Kournikova comparison; I think everyone is reading it incorrectly.
Oh, and here we go again: "Serena has one of the best separate serves of the game. It just kicks right in and she wins so many points from it." Mind you, this is about five minutes after the commentators called her at-net play "sluggish" and "sloppy."
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
Henin all the way!
I agree with Boston, Henin is the best player in the world for a reason, and if it wasn't for a bad day here and there, she would have her Wimbledon title, not that it wont come next year.
If I have to sit through a Williams sister final, I'll bless my lucky stars I have a DVR so that I can fast forward through the boring exchange.
Serena's press conferences are horrible, she NEVER gives credit to other players when credit is due, and to me thats just bad sportsmanship and a serious lack of character. She can keep her titles and her new clothing line, I'll take Henin everyday!
Meh on the Serena
First off, I love the HP commercial. It's really cute.
Second, I've never been a fan of Serena's but I do like Venus. There's just something about her that puts me off when I watch her play; sometimes there's too much intensity, that it's not fun anymore. And after at the press conferences, when she loses, she always says how bad she played and hardly ever gives her opponents credit for their win.
Re: to the person who said Henin has nothing to back up her "mouth", what has she said exactly? Hingis too? They both have plenty to back up why they're a good player.
really?!
her arms are like a man's, way too blokely
really?!
her arms are like a man's, way too blokey
Serena's success can also be
Serena's success can also be attributed to her being very smart. She's always studying her opponents so that she can find and exploit their weaknesses. She also has a great work ethic; she hasn't shown up for tournaments out of shape because she doesn't care, but because she's been hurt. When she's healthy, she's been in better condition that most of the women on the tour. And I for one can't recall her losing to any teenagers when she's been healthy and on top of her game.
On a shallower note, she does have a great body. Her arms are nice, but I would love to have her legs and butt. (And I do mean that in more than one way.)
Tennis was boring until Venus & Serena came along....
Tennis didn't interest me in the slightest until Venus and Serena came along. It's quite boring when neither one of them are playing. A lot of African Americans I know feel the same way. A lot of people don't like V & S for one simple reason and I will let you deduce what that reason is. Some folks can be gay but still be bigoted. Never ever compare The Williams sisters to Anna K. That is a gross insult to the third degree. I am pleased to see Serena coming into her own as a young woman and I do think the murder of their sister humbled both her and Venus. They represent Cali quite well. I am proud of both of them.
Unless you have undeniable proof that Serena is on steroids, don't throw out accusations like that.
If you were offended by the
If you were offended by the Kournikova comparison, see my comment above. If you're still offended, then, well, I'm sorry.
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
Like Lance Armstrong and the French
You definitely can't compare the two. For one thing Anna can get a bajillion endorsements and never even have to pick up a racquet. Never won a major title and yet she is famous?
Imagine if Paris Hilton played tennis(or did anything for that matter) it would be exactly the same.
Personally, I was a HUGE fan of Steffi Graff growing up but you are right the Williams Sisters are, currently, the only reason I am faintly interested in tennis.
The funny thing is that people who look at the Williams Sisters with such unmerited distaste do so in the same spirit as those would be defamers of Billy Jean King and Martina Navratilova.
Now when you hear such arguments you generally expect a random strategically placed mention of O.J. Simpson to follow.
Or now I suppose it would now be the devil a.k.a. Barry Bonds.
Steroids is it now? You know there are thousands who would desire to strip Serena of the respect she's earned on the court with allegations and stupid arguments.
You know nothing is new but the day and days kind of recycle themselves so...
: /
So you say tennis was boring
So you say tennis was boring until two african american players came on the scene and in the same breath suggest people who don't like the Williams sisters most likely do so because they are african american!
Looks to me not only can you be gay and bigoted you can also be african american and be bigoted!
Btw there were actually some african american players on the tour pre Williams sisters!
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
Not suggesting it
Actually you did not say
Actually you did not say "some people" you said "a lot of people"!
And to both you and Tov...I don't like the Williams sisters because I do not enjoy this "power" tennis ( I will watch men's tennis if I want to see power;)) and because I have seen them be not exactly gracious when loosing a match and because they don't strike me as exactly very intelligent ( yes, I am bigoted about brainpower:))
Though I am sure there are people who don't like them for the colour of their skin...I am equally sure there are lots of people who don't like them for entirely different reasons! As is already clear from several comments made in this thread!
And since my post was a response to your clearly bigoted remarks, clearly I was posting "old news"! Here is some more "old" news...only finding an interest in a tennis match because of the skin colour of one or both players is as bigoted as not finding interest in a tennismatch because of the skincolour of the players! Maybe something to think about before you start accusing people again?
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
Wow, Thank You
Pardon me, I did not claim to know why you do not like them nor did I call you out by name. If I wanted to respond to your ignorance or lack thereof I would have done so by replying to you specifically. Thus, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from calling me out in a pathetic rebuttal. However, I am glad that you did. For in your response you have, unwittingly, proved a point I didn't need to make.
Point1* likening them to men
"I don't like the Williams sisters because I do not enjoy this "power" tennis ( I will watch men's tennis if I want to see power"
I can hear the cries of the old guard now.
"who needs Billy Jean when you can have Chris Evert? Her serve is much more ladylike"
Because dainty tennis is so much more thrilling, right? Especially to most lesbians
Point2* attacking intelligence
"and because they don't strike me as exactly very intelligent ( yes, I am bigoted about brainpower"
And I am sure you are basing this on an I.Q test.
Or I suppose it is just a feeling you got? You know an inkling by which you can judge someone without ever meeting them.
You know I think I am having one of those feelings now....
Maybe
Tov! well, first off I am sorry
well, first off I am sorry but I don't literally remember your original post and can't quote you here since you completely edited said original post!
But the reason I mentioned both you and the other poster is because you were the two people agreeing on the implication that people who don't like the Williams sisters do so on the basis of their skincolour. I think, had you not edited your response ( and very rudely without mentioning this) this would have been perfectly clear!
Second..I was clearly expressing, in case you were under any misguided notions, exactly why I personally do not like the Williams sisters!
In this opinion I was conveying that indeed, I personally prefer "dainty" tennis as played by the likes of Steffi Graff or Navratilova or my fave Gigi Fernandez! You know, "dainty" players like that!
And I compared the style of the Williams sisters' tennis to the style of most male players. The style! Not the Williams sisters themselves!
As for my view of their intelligence...I based it on seeing them in many interviews like after matches or in the Oprah Winfrey show! But if they will take an IQ test and score above average I will gladly stand corrected!
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
Tov...
Tov I must commend you on your rebuttal, by letting her words speak or themselves. I believe many of us have the same sentiments as you. Just want to say I truly take pleasure in reading your comments through out AE they are well put together and quite witty ;)
Okay...
For someone who professes to be bigoted about brain power to have offered such a transparent response...well, I'm awash in the irony of it all. They're not the same--not even remotely--and to suggest otherwise is either absurdly naïve or patently offensive (I don't know you well enough to presume which is true).
Next, you'll tell me that you watch "South of Nowhere" for the acting.
These girls came from nothing--growing up, they shared a single room with their three older sisters, in a room that only had 4 beds. Their hometown (Compton, California) was immoralized in some of the 90s most violent and egregious rap music. They grew up around drugs, gangs and guns. The Williams sisters didn't escape Compton unscathed--they lost their older sister, Yetunde, to gun violence in September 2003. People think it's arrogance they see in Serena, but really, it's just the birthright of that kind of environment: a defense mechanism that masks your vulnerability.
These girls came nothing...and not only are they still here (which, if you grow up in Compton, isn't a foregone conclusion), they're on a national stage and thriving. So, in my experience, it's not so much about seeing their skin color, it's about seeing a part of yourself--be it in skin color or a shared childhood or whatever--in someone on the national stage. Frankly, I think that's something that ought to be celebrated, not ridiculed.
Moreover, for far too long, minorities have been prohibited from taking their rightful place on the national scene. So, yes, we celebrate those folks that make it because we appreciate the positive visibility...because their accomplishments, though perhaps not singularly as significant as someone else's, represent a triumph over oppression and marginalization. That's why folks who've never watched tennis before today, enjoy watching Venus and Serena Williams. Or why Tiger Woods inspired a whole new generation of folks to figure out what the difference is between a bogey and an eagle. And, honestly, that's why we watch South of Nowhere...
But, yes...by all means, continue to scoff with your ridiculous pretension...it's terribly endearing.
(Sidenote: There's a profile in the New York Times that's worth taking a look at: Dangerous When Interested. One of many interesting points of the story was that their father posted signs at the tennis courts that said: "when you fail, you fail alone." It's clear that that lesson still dictates Serena's actions.)
LOL!
A few more endearing pretensions!
Main Entry: big·ot
Pronunciation: 'bi-g&t
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices;
Copied from Merriam-Webster dictionary!
• noun a person who is prejudiced in their views and intolerant of the opinions of others.
Copied from Oxford dictionary
bigot
noun [C] DISAPPROVING
a person who has strong, unreasonable beliefs and who thinks that anyone who does not have the same beliefs is wrong:
bigoted
adjective DISAPPROVING
She's so bigoted that she refuses to accept anyone who doesn't think like her.
Copied from the Cambridge dictionary!
It is terribly sad to see how African Americans are such victims of a prejudice society they cannot even see it when they are themselves using the same racial thinking!
ie Note who actually turned this into a racial issue whether one likes the Williams sisters or not!
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
Well...
What a clever retort.
While generally, I think someone so "bigoted about brain power" really ought to be able to craft a more thoughtful response, I'm glad that your copy and paste skills are so adept. Next time, check the Cambridge Dictionary for pretentious.
It's not about who brought it up the issue of race--I was simply addressing one aspect of your reply (I even used the nifty quote box).
Frankly, I thought I did a good job explaining the sociological phenomenon behind all of it--a phenomenon that extends far beyond the African-American community and, instead, touches all minorities--but apparently it's all lost on you.
C'est la vie.
There you go!
You ask, we deliver :)
pretentious
adjective DISAPPROVING
trying to appear or sound more important or clever than you are, especially in matters of art and literature:
Think I will leave it to the reader to decide who's comment fits the bill most! ;)
In the meantime...maybe you want to give some more information on the lives and times of the Williams sisters and the sociological phenomenon of bigotry? Thanks!
Btw thanks for calling my retort clever! Wish I could say the same but alas...you sort of ruined that possibility by citing the same quote from my comment in two separate posts.:(
Also it so happens that particular remark meant I like intelligent people better! I did not claim anything about my own IQ in any way. Surely you are aware one does not have to be that clever to appreciate intelligence? ;)
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
Please
Is cool!
Got carried away there! ;)
"call me old fashioned but I prefer feminism that leaves a little something to the imagination!"
LOl
Serena Williams - back in the day
She used to sit behind me in math class. I used to tell my mom that this girl in my class and her sister got out of school to play tennis. Of course, she thought it was just kids making shit up.
Love the Williams sisters!!!
http://onefootinonefootout.blogspot.com/
F.Y.I
no i don't see it. all i
no i don't see it.
all i know is henin kicked her butt today and i jumped around dancing for a few seconds.
i don't know why i dislike serena so much (oh wait, her attitude offcourt towards other players, really interesting clothing choices and the constant shrieking when she misses a shoot.)
however, i do really admire venus. talking about killer serves. i haven't saw her playing since wimbledon but i heard she's doing really good.
can't wait for the jankovic/venus match tonight. ;) i like jankovic a lot as well....so it should be interesting...
Bad news
Serena just lost. (3)6-7, 1-6 to Justine Henin. My sports network here in Toronto decided to show hockey rather than tennis. I was really looking forward to that watching that match as well.
ach
Too bad, too; the first set
Too bad, too; the first set was brilliant to watch when both women were completely on top of their game.
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
One Last Thought
Yeah, when Serena beat
Yeah, when Serena beat Bartoli in the previous round, the commentators were saying that she now had a chance to beat Henin, since Bartoli had beaten Henin at Wimbledon. Except, the transitive property can't really be applied to tennis...and Henin has been on fire since her upset at Wimbledon.
As for the screams, they annoy me as well, but I actually understand why she does them: they scare the bejesus out of lesser opponents.
"Out of the box is where I live." -Starbuck
I'm not smart enough to
I'm not smart enough to judge how smart a person is, especially a person who I've never met before, but it seems to me that you have to have something going for you to play this level of tennis, while at the same time holding down several other careers, and going to school at the same time. While other tennis players have had their careers side tracked by drugs and alcohol, Venus and Serena have kept their focus, and realize what is important in life. Their values seem to be intact, and they are smart enough to know that everything doesn't have to revolve around tennis. Neither woman has been accussed of showing up for a match hungover or out of shape because of partying and smoking (like some others on the tour).
So unless they take that I.Q. test and prove me wrong, i'd say that they are pretty intelligent.
Sweet Victory!