Despite being on her way to “growing up” from tennis, Serena Williams continues to receive well-deserved praise here and there for her remarkable career.
She recently had the first match of her final tournament at the US Open on Monday, August 29, where she was also interviewed by broadcast journalist Gayle King after her first round victory. Naturally, King had great words for the legend and couldn’t help but be proud of Williams’ influence over the years in the tennis industry.
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Raja Gayle Says Serena Williams Changed the Color of Tennis
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The WTA star, who previously announced her evolution from tennis, prevailed over her first-round opponent, Danka Kovinić, 6-3, 6-3, in Queens, New York, on Monday evening. The venue, Arthur Ashe Stadium, was perfect to begin his farewell as he had won six singles titles and a pair of doubles crowns with a host of New York celebrities watching, many of whom were in attendance for what was likely to be his final match.
King, his friend who had interviewed him several times before, was also present. He introduced Williams to an adoring audience, hugging her despite the tennis star’s sweat and emphasizing her accomplishments on and off the court.
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According to the Daily Mail, the CBS News reporter said, “He’s changed the color of the game, he’s changed the pattern of the game, for those who play and for us who watch it. And, it makes me very proud.” He also used one of Beyoncé’s latest hits, “Alien Superstar,” to hint at how superior Williams is regardless of the competition. You may remember that the song was released this year with the album “Renaissance.”
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In King’s words, “Serena, you know you’re like that Beyoncé song: I’m one. I’m the only one. Don’t try to compete with me.” And as expected, the statement elicited cheers from the crowd. It should be noted that even though Williams’ career is not over, his interview with King was part of a strange “after-game party” celebrating his career.
The talk also touched on the topic of Williams’ retirement, with the 67-year-old author wondering how the US Open champion felt after her triumph that night. Since it had been three weeks since Williams shocked the world with the news of his retirement, King wanted to know if he woke up that morning feeling relieved or confident in his decision.
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The influential athlete admitted he didn’t expect any results that night, but he made sure to always do his best on the court, where he felt “very comfortable” in front of the crowd. He added, “When I step out on the court, I just want to do the best I can that day, and that’s all I can do.”
Williams acknowledged the “crazy” crowd and admitted that they helped him get through it. He also used his story to inspire the audience, advising them not to give up, no matter their challenges. He is undeniably a living witness because despite being from Compton, California, and experiencing many obstacles in his career, he succeeded in the end without giving up.
23-Time Grand Slam Winner Talks About His Legacy And Impact On The Sport
While Williams may be aware of his impact on the world of tennis, he also knows the extent of his influence on the sports industry in general. The Blast reported that she spoke about her legacy through the August issue of Time magazine, believing it to be “confidence and self-belief” and “teaching other black kids, especially black girls, that they can do it too.”
The 23-time Grand Slam winner then referred to rising tennis stars like Naomi Osaka and Gauff Cori, which led him to explain that no one had ever been able to “tell such an inspiring and authentic story.” He added that living through his mistakes, ups and downs, and surgeries and comebacks is a story he won’t let anyone else tell.
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Williams calls it “a great story about self-love,” that few people can relate to, being their authentic selves and owning who they are. It’s not news that he’s always been humble about his past accomplishments, but as he prepares to go on vacation, he owns every bit of his success, declaring that he “changed the game of tennis.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
