...especially Serena.

This year however, I've become a big Victoria Azarenka fan, so it was tough for me with first the Madrid final and this week's semi-final. However, Venus and Serena are coming to the twilight of great careers. It has never been their way to go meekly. They will "pass the torch", but they're going to get every bit of well deserved glory before they do. When they leave the stage, they'll do it with class and dignity.

Can you imagine the titles that they'd have won if not for the amount of injuries? As well as the tragedy of their sister's murder? WOW!
When my wife asked this AM who they were playing in the doubles finals I said "the runners up"!

BTW, before you ask, I don't give a damn about Victoria's grunting. Change the name to Monica and the same things were being said about Monica Seles 20 years ago.

HOORAY for the Williams Sisters!

PEACE!

for most aces for both the men and the women-102. Think about that given that the women only play three sets

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/07/08/serena-williams-again-wins-wimbledon/yOvEJX9iDUFf19YxRgQnqI/story.html

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2012-07-05/201207051341499311988.html

The Williams family story is way more than sports - it's about family, planning and success.

As another poster said, she is one of the greatest female athletes I've ever seen.

Skip that, she's one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen, PERIOD!

PEACE!

Women tennis players have not been coming up winning out of the US system for some reason, although there were several in this Wimbledon tournament who look promising.

And I'm going to be yelling for Federer tomorrow!!!!!! Hope he wins a few more tournaments before retiring. I really love his style, on and off the courts!!!!

although the Scots would love this one

...Roger is probably my favorite men's tennis player ever and, IMHO, the greatest player ever.

Andy has plenty of time and a hell of a coach in Ivan Lendl. I'd be happy for him if he wins today, but my heart is solidly with Roger to win a few more slams.

PEACE!

...greatest ever.

BTW, I do agree with Roger that Andy will win at least 1, probably more, slams.

PEACE!

That was great - I didn't miss the irony of Murray bawling since Federer did the same after Nadal beat him at the OZ GS in 2009.

I'd have also been happy for Andy and I will be when he finally wins one of these things.

PEACE!

Parents of celebrities and athletes can be pretty intense.

Hopefully they were treated well and congratulations to them.

Their father refused to run them through the junior circuit and wear them out. They trained hard, but they were expected to look beyond tennis and consider other things.

Their entire family did everything they could to shield them from some of the harshness. The crowd was so horrible to them at Indian Wells when they were younger that they have never gone back. I believe that stand has also helped them. It served notice to other tournaments that they expected a high level of respect.

Richard has been controversial. I think he tried to draw the hot glare from them when they were younger. It worked and he calmed down as they grew older.

In addition, they had older sisters to look out for them. One of them is a lawyer in DC and handles their finances and legal matters.

but they made sure that both of them had other interests.

Here's a nice read
http://claytonandtheresa.com/Richard_Williams.html

Loved the writer's wife commenting that they are the only ones with fashion sense. Ha!

I think 2 things have really helped them on the tour.
They have had each other. The tennis establishment and many other players were not exactly welcoming. They could talk to each other and they knew there was someone who was right there that would always have their backs. Their retinue helped, but their bond and companionship can't be overstated when dealing with others in the locker room, and other places.

Because they had other interests, their minds weren't burned out by thinking tennis 24/7. Players mental abilities are extremely important. They can begin to tire in that regard even before they are physically worn out. Venus and Serena were roundly criticized for their schedules. I believe it made them better players and people.