Billie Jean King, Jackie Joyner-Kersey, Andy Murray and Todd Martin discuss Serena Williams’ legacy; Head to the Sky Sports website and app for live scores, reporting, analysis and features
go through Raz Mirza (Video by Thomas Joseph)
14:17, UK, Thursday 19 October 2023
Serena Williams has transcended tennis — here’s the perspective of one of the sport’s all-time greats, Billie Jean King, as we recognize the 23-time Grand Slam champion this Black History Month Incredible achievement for a champion.
While Williams has not yet officially retired, the American told Vogue ahead of the 2022 U.S. Open that she is “gradually stepping away from tennis.”
She ended her illustrious career with 23 Grand Slam titles, 73 WTA career singles titles, 186 consecutive weeks at the top of the women’s world rankings, 367 career wins, and a career singles record of 858 wins and 156 losses.
Now, tennis pioneer King, track and field superstar Jackie Joyner-Kersey, British tennis legend Andy Murray and International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin all talk about how Williams transcended the sport .
Billie Jean King: She helped our movement and diversity
“I’ve known Serena since she was six years old – she was in one of our tennis team clinics, and I knew she and her sister (Venus) were special. The fact that we made them so popular with the audience Welcome,” 12-said the era’s big winner, King.
“Our first black woman was Althea Gibson, who won Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958, but what Serena did has transcended our sport. That’s what you really want from every champion in every sport.
“She’s got a lot of new people coming into our sport, not just black kids, but everybody.
“This was just the first half of her life because tennis did so much for her and her generation. She made $100 million on the court and millions off the court, so she was great for us , but we’re also great for her.
“I think the second half is going to be even more appreciative of what she does on the court. She’s going to help girls of color and women of color and women of color.
“Every time I listen to her talk, I ask her, ‘I said what are you going to do with the money? Business?’ She’s going to be great. She’s going to be great for our sport and for diversity.
“Why do we have diversity in tennis? Arthur (Ashe) has helped, Althea (Gibson) has helped before, and the people who have fought for them. I’m excited. I think our sport is so international culture, where everyone can feel like they belong, and I know that helps us do better in life. Champions on and off the field.”
Jackie Joyner-Kersey:Williams Extraordinary
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, one of the greatest athletes in the history of the heptathlon and long jump, said Serena was like “royalty.”
“She’s the best,” said the three-time Olympic gold medalist. “She was a fierce competitor, an amazing, incredible woman, extraordinary in everything.
“She was an incredible person who had an impact not only on her generation, my generation and generations to come. She was able to make her voice heard on and off the court, and as a mother, so many others The mother of people, able to share her expertise, influence and heart.
“Serena has the ability to inspire others with everything she does on and off the court and believe that the impossible is possible.
“When you think about those numbers and her career, there’s always going to be comparisons, but for me, what I remember most is she did her best every time she went out.
“She has transcended tennis, from the sports pages to the fashion pages to the culture pages.”
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Joyner-Kersee believes Williams will continue to develop as an advocate for gender equality and the fight for justice.
“Serena has evolved and she will continue to evolve,” she said. She was considered to be more than just a tennis player. She is an advocate for gender equality and will fight for justice when injustice occurs, and she will continue to do so. “
When asked if there would be another Serena, Joyner-Kersey added: “There will never be another Serena, but there will be others because all Serena can do is set Standard, I don’t even think Serena wanted that. I know she will continue to be in the pages and chapters of books and newspapers and magazines so that everyone can learn.”
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Andy Murray: Serena inspired so many people around the world
Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray believes Serena has had a “bigger impact” and inspired many people.
He said: “The reaction to her retirement at the US Open, the atmosphere during her matches was incredible. You heard all the players talking about her and a lot of young up-and-coming female players were talking about how much she inspired them. Pick up the racket.
“Serena played a huge role in their careers, such was her time dominating the world and her time on tour. It’s obviously sad for tennis that she chose to retire, but her It’s been such an incredible career and she’s given so much to the sport, but she’s so much more than that. She’s inspired so many people around the world.”
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Todd Martin, a 1999 U.S. Open finalist, said Serena’s legacy can be summed up in one word: “transformation.”
“Her parents had an amazing vision to develop a life beyond the girl’s birth and see it all the way through, a goal that could only be achieved through extraordinary ambition and dedicated development.
“To sustain them well into adulthood — it’s obviously a story that was made into a movie, but it’s a story that was made for a movie.
“A lot of Serena’s success came after I left the locker room, but I think the respect that comes from around the world and what she accomplished in tennis.
“Her physical ability and athleticism, I have a hard time imagining anyone else who has shown the competitiveness that Serena has shown over the years. That combination can’t help but inspire confidence in her.”
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Former world number four Martin said he did not believe in the concept of a “single great” of all time as he found it impossible to compare generations.
“She is clearly the most successful female athlete of her generation and she has to be one of the most important female tennis players of all time to be discussed, regardless of gender,” he said.
“Everyone in the tennis world should be grateful for the concept of inspiration and opportunity. The sport provides people around the world with extraordinary opportunities to develop as people, pursue their dreams and think greater things are possible.”
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