Since bursting on the scene as a young African American teen Serena Williams has done things her way. From having unconventional practice habits, to wearing new and different tennis outfits not to mention launching a fashion line, Williams has been nothing short of unique and is a true star.
Brash, outspoken and perhaps undisciplined at times Williams will go down with the all-time greats. And make no mistake about it she has a lot of highly competitive tennis left in her.
In a day and age where thirty years old is ancient in her sport she has overcome physical injuries, her racial heritage, the shadow of her sister and other barriers to be only the second woman to over the age of thirty to win Wimbledon. People all too often seek to define others perhaps in an attempt to categorize them– as being different is at times emotionally discomforting. Williams is not to be categorized or minimized.
It helps to have the sheer power and athleticism that Williams has, but part of what makes Williams so great is her mental toughness and just being who she is. At times appearing distracted and taciturn, one has to wonder if she would have been a better player if she had been more disciplined and conventional. However Williams has managed to put an indelible stamp on professional tennis and her record cannot be argued with.
Williams has changed the landscape of tennis spawning a new generation of bigger and faster players who have emerged to make women’s tennis dynamic and highly competitive.
I sit with people all the time who want to do it “their way” the problem is their way is most frequently not successful as they continue to persist in practices that do not achieve their goals. In William’s case she has achieved by doing it her way.
Recently Williams has espoused a new appreciation for being able to play professional tennis and achieved what she has as she has become more self-reflective as she has grown relatively older. But make no mistake about it, she has managed to have her cake and eat it too. Isn’t that something we all would love to have? Serena Williams is truly a player for the ages.