Serena Wins Athlete of the Year

Comcast ^ | 12-22-09 | HOWARD FENDRICH, AP

[mlizzy]

Playing her best at the most important events, Serena Williams re-established herself as the top player in women's tennis in 2009 and was a landslide choice as Female Athlete of the Year by members of The Associated Press.

Williams received 66 of 158 votes cast by editors at U.S. newspapers that are members of the AP. No other candidate got more than 18 votes in the tally, which was announced Tuesday.

Clearly, Williams' most infamous on-court episode - a tirade directed at a line judge after a foot-fault call near the end of her U.S. Open semifinal loss in September - didn't hurt her standing in the eyes of the voters.

``People realize that I'm a great player, and one moment doesn't define a person's career,'' Williams told the AP. ``And I was right, for the most part: It wasn't right the way I reacted - I never said it was - but I was right about the call.''

She also noted that the outburst, which resulted in a record fine and two-year probationary period at Grand Slam tournaments, ``got a lot more people excited about tennis.''

[mlizzy]

Nice role model.

I agree. His story is a wonderful one:

"Just before her pregnancy, Pam [Tim Tebow's mother] fell into a coma after contracting amoebic dysentery, a bacteria transmitted through contaminated drinking water. During her recovery, she received a series of strong medications. And even though she discontinued the regimen when she discovered the pregnancy, doctors told Pam the fetus had been damaged. Doctors later told Pam that her placenta had detached from the uterine wall, a condition known as placental abruption, which can deprive the fetus of oxygen and nutrients. Doctors expected a stillbirth, Pam said, and they encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy." Link

[bmwcyle]

It must have been the racist remarks.

[thefactor]

I would LOVE to know the date of that quote. She dates NFL players for G-d’s sake. Linebackers even. Not sure how much they enjoy waiting. Jus’ sayin’.

[mlizzy]

She has the maturity of a schoolyard bully.

Yes, and the fitness of ...

How does she do it? Link

"She entered the tournament unseeded and ranked 81 in the world after an injury-plagued year, with many writing her off as unfit and overweight. But the 26-year-old proved the doubters wrong, defeating six seeds enroute to the title."

[gthog61]

perfect chery on top for our crap sundae

[mlizzy]

I would LOVE to know the date of that quote. She dates NFL players for G-d’s sake. Linebackers even. Not sure how much they enjoy waiting. Jus’ sayin’.

She looks pure as the driven snow to me.

[jla]

The best tennis match I’ve ever watched was between Amanda Coetzer and Gabriela Sabatini.

[BallyBill]

Thanks, I needed that image. Now I just need to forget I ever saw it.

[Bernard]

That picture in post #24 made me think of Mickey Lolich, for some reason. BTW, a horse came in second in the voting. Maybe there’s no real point in having this vote in the first place.

[Slump Tester]

Wow - what a bundle of grace and femininity.

She's sure got that "when it is safe to do steroids" schedule down!

[Rummyfan]

Baby got back... and front!

[mlizzy]

I'm guessing you mean this match? (I can't find any pics of it though) ... Link

[mlizzy]

She's sure got that "when it is safe to do steroids" schedule down!

Steroids?

[Chief901]

She beat a horse for the honor, the horse came in second...

Zenyatta, the 5-year-old mare who capped her 14-0 career by becoming the first female horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, finished second for the AP honor.

[mlizzy]

She beat a horse for the honor, the horse came in second...

And to think I thought you were joking! Link

[Chief901]

Thanks for the link, I did not realize she beat out two (2) horses. The other horse finished seventh.

[Venturer]

Has she ever been tested to be sure she is a woman?

[kickonly88]

I love her humility,too.

[mlizzy]

Thanks for the link, I did not realize she beat out two (2) horses. The other horse finished seventh.

You're welcome! I wish she would play like the outstanding athlete that she is/could be 100% of the time. She irks me because she can beat most everyone else on the tour even though she's back a step or two with fitness. (I don't care for certain aspects of her personality, but I could turn down the sound.) I hope she's not doing steroids, but sometimes I think she must be.

[refermech]

Maybe they should give her a Nobel peace prize while they’re at it.