It’s been a great summer for the Sangha’s, mainly because of Serena Williams.
The powerful and intimidating Queen B, this summer won Wimbledon, Stanford, took Gold at the Olympics and 2 days ago, won at the US Open.
We have been avid fans of the Williams sisters since 2000 when Venus lifted the trophy at Wimbldon. Of course, this year it’s been all about Serena Williams.
Williams is not only beating the top players, she’s thrashing them. In her gold medal match against Maria Sharapova, she won 6-0 6-1; thrashed Azarenka 6-1 6-2 in the semi finals; and served 24 aces in one match at Wimbledon.
With the sisters now both in their early 30’s, it will only be a matter of time before they hang up their racquets. The result, I feel, will be awful for the WTA tour. Both sisters have a reach beyond tennis fans and have drawn people to game from all walks of life – such as my grandma.
Through her game though, Williams speaks a bigger message. We all know the tragedies she has faced, such as loosing her sister Yetunde Price. Not to mention the amount of injuries she has had. After winning Wimbledon in 2010 Williams had to take 10 months off tour because of recurring injuries. Through her game she speaks loudly of what a true champion is: relentless, passionate, confident and able to deal with setbacks.
Although she may not have long left on the tour, her legacy will forever be remembered.
Tennis
With the Olympics not far away, everyone is talking sports.
For those of us watch rather than play sports, usually with a cider in hand, we still appreciate the hard work athletes put in.
All those hours of training are incredible and it's not something I would ever be able to do. These are however the favourite sporting moments of my lifetime.
Cathy Freeman winning the 400m at the Sydney Olympics in 2000
The 2002 and 2003 All Williams Wimbledon Final
Nadal winning Wimbledon in 2008
Kelly Holmes winning at the 2004 Olympics
We were all geared up to watch the Australian Open, the first major tennis tournament of the year, I was ready for the late nights (it’s a 12 hour time difference), ready to watch my two favourite players, Serena and Nadal win their titles - Murray is a close third. My dream wasn't about to come true.
It quickly went pare shaped. Serena was dominant the first 3 rounds but in the 4th, the serene Serena we are so used to didn’t show up. Her game was fuelled with errors, we were full of tears.
Sources http://www.thegrio.com/sports/serena-williams-australian-open-outfit-celebrated-black-history-month.php http://www.cyprus-mail.com/tennis/heartbreak-murray-djokovic-wins-classic/20120127 http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/A1P2UKbOQQl/2012+Australian+Open+Day+14/mPpeBdITzpw
Serena was my only favourite celebrity growing up. I remember watching Venus win Wimbledon in 2000 and then Serena in 2002 (just as epic as seeing Nadal edge Federer in 2008). They owned the tennis world, they beat everyone, they knew they were the best. The Williams sisters are everything in the Sangha house.
Their story, from Compton courts to Wimbledon dreams showed strength, determination, focus and self belief. It’s hard to think that someone this regimented could be, with the greatest respects ‘normal.’
But this is where Twitter comes in, that little micro blogging site which has a few hundred-million users. Where Serena posts frequently and shows how 'normal' she is, talking of her dogs, snapping pictures of Sacha’s (her German hitting partner) abs or about her insomnia. It’s the reach twitter gives between celebrities and their fans - an unmediated relationship – which in part makes it is so successful. She hasn’t replied to me yet though.
I hope you’ll be cheering her on, smacking your thighs in delight and cheering loudly just as we Sanghas’ will, that is, if she plays.
Image from: The Australian