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Tag: Serena Williams

  • Serena Williams tops Forbes female rich list

    Eight of the top 10 highest earning female athletes are tennis players, with 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams topping the Forbes list.

    Williams earned just $62,000 (£48,050) from prize money during the past year – owing largely to her 14-month break to have a baby – but made $18m (£13.95m) through endorsements.

    Badminton’s PV Sindhu and race car driver Danica Patrick are the only non-tennis players in the top 10.

    In June, the Forbes rankings of the world’s top 100 highest earning athletes did not feature a woman after Williams dropped out of the chart.

    US boxer Floyd Mayweather topped the list followed by football’s Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

    The top 10 highest earning female athletes earned $105m (£81.4m) in total from June 2017 to June 2018.

    That figure is down 4% from last year and 28% from five years ago.

    Williams’ total earnings ensure she tops the list for the third successive year, making twice as much away from the tennis court as any other female athlete.

    Caroline Wozniacki is second on the list having won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year – a victory that secured her $3.1m (£2.4m) in prize money to push her total earnings to $13m (£10.1m).

    Completing the top five are Sloane Stephens, Garbine Muguruza and Maria Sharapova.

    Russian Sharapova was the top-earning female athlete for 11 consecutive years but has seen her earnings drop after her 15-month doping ban.

    Indian Olympic and world silver medallist Sindhu and Patrick – the most successful female race car driver – are seventh and ninth on the list respectively.

    The top 10 and their total earnings

    Serena Williams (tennis) – $18.1m (£14m)

    Caroline Wozniacki (tennis) – $13m (£10.1m)

    Sloane Stephens (tennis) – $11.2m (£8.7m)

    Garbine Muguruza (tennis) – $11m (£8.5m)

    Maria Sharapova (tennis) – $10.5m (£8.1m)

    Venus Williams (tennis) – $10.2m (£7.9m)

    PV Sindhu (badminton) – $8.5m (£6.6m)

    Simona Halep (tennis) – $7.7m (£6m)

    Danica Patrick (race car driving) – $7.5m (£5.8m)

    Angelique Kerber (tennis) – $7m (£5.4m)

    BBC

  • I felt like I was not a good mom, but in a funk over motherhood – Serena Williams

    Serena Williams says she pulled out of this week’s Rogers Cup in Canada after feeling like she was “in a funk” and “not a good mom”.

    The American 23-time Grand Slam singles champion initially withdrew from the tournament citing “personal reasons”.

    Williams, 36, returned to tennis earlier this year after giving birth in September 2017.

    She reached the Wimbledon final in July but last week suffered the heaviest defeat of her career.

    Williams’ 6-1 6-0 loss to Britain’s Johanna Konta at the Silicon Valley Classic event was the first time since turning professional in 1995 that she had failed to win at least two games in a match.

    In a post on Instagram, Williams explained that she had been struggling with post-natal emotions – but went on to stress such feelings were “totally normal” and urged other mothers not to suffer in silence.

    “Last week was not easy for me,” she said. “Not only was I accepting some tough personal stuff, but I just was in a funk. Mostly, I felt like I was not a good mom.

    “I read several articles that said postpartum emotions can last up to three years if not dealt with. I like communication best. Talking things through with my mom, my sisters, my friends let me know that my feelings are totally normal.

    “It’s totally normal to feel like I’m not doing enough for my baby.

    “Most of you moms deal with the same thing. I’m here to say: if you are having a rough day or week – it’s OK – I am, too!”

  • Serena Williams pulls out of Rogers Cup for personal reasons

    Serena Williams pulls out of Rogers Cup for personal reasons

    Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week’s Rogers Cup in Canada for personal reasons.

    The American 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was beaten 6-1 6-0 by Briton Johanna Konta at the most recent Silicon Valley Classic event – the worst defeat of her career.

    “We are disappointed Serena will not be joining us,” said tournament director Eugene Lapierre.

    “Fans were very much looking forward to seeing her in action.”

    German Tatjana Maria will now get a wildcard spot in the main draw and faces Alize Cornet of France in the first round.

    “Beyond the disappointment, the tournament as a whole remains a high-level competition,” Lapierre added.

    “The entire top 10 is here, along with 22 of the top 25. There are exciting matches in store from the outset.”

  • Serena returns to top 30 in world rankings

    Serena returns to top 30 in world rankings

    Serena Williams returned to world’s top 30 in the WTA rankings released on Monday after finishing as Wimbledon runner-up.

    The 36-year-old American climbed 153 places to 28th despite losing Saturday’s final at the All England Club to German Angelique Kerber.

    It was Williams’s fourth tournament since giving birth to her daughter 10 months ago.

    Kerber, who won her third Grand Slam title, moved up six places to world number four.

    French Open winner Simona Halep of Romania retained the top ranking despite her third-round exit at Wimbledon.

    In the men’s rankings, Novak Djokovic’s fourth Wimbledon crown propelled him back to 10th in the world after falling outside the top 20 for the first time since 2006.

    South Africa’s Kevin Anderson moved up three places to a career-high fifth after reaching the Wimbledon final for the first time in his career.

    Spaniard Rafael Nadal remained at the top of the rankings and increased his lead over number two Roger Federer, whose Wimbledon title defence was ended by Anderson in a marathon quarter-final.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Serena Williams to face Kerber in Wimbledon final

    Serena Williams to face Kerber in Wimbledon final

    Serena Williams will face Germany’s Angelique Kerber for an eighth Wimbledon singles title after both won their semi-finals in straight sets.

    The American former world number one overpowered Germany’s Julia Gorges 6-2 6-4, while Kerber beat Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-3.

    Saturday’s final will be a re-match of the 2016 showpiece, which Williams won.

    Williams will be seeking a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title and her first since giving birth in September.

    Williams comeback close to fairytale ending

    Serena Williams was in control from the outset against 13th seed Gorges, who was making her Grand Slam semi-final debut.

    It was the first time at these championships that the American had faced a player ranked in the top 50 and she stepped up with a powerful display that also showed better movement around the court than in previous rounds.

    She broke in the sixth game of the first set when Gorges went wide and then took the set on the German’s serve when her opponent sent a forehand wide.

    The second set followed a similar pattern, with the only brief wobble coming in the ninth game when Williams was broken. But she struck back immediately and looked to the sky when an attempted lob from Gorges flew out to give her the victory.

    Gorges, who had spent more than 10 hours on court before this match, the longest of any of the semi-finalists by around two and a half hours, was put out of her misery on Centre Court in just 70 minutes.

    “It’s crazy. I don’t even know how to feel because I literally didn’t think I’d do this well in my fourth tournament back,” said Williams.

    “I don’t have anything to lose and I feel I can play so free. That’s what I’m doing.

    “This is not inevitable for me, I had a really tough delivery and multiple surgeries and almost didn’t make it to be honest. I couldn’t even walk to my mailbox, so it’s definitely not normal for me to be in a Wimbledon final.

    “I’m enjoying every moment.”

    Williams only returned to the Tour in March, having “almost died” giving birth to her daughter last September.

    Despite her maternity break, she is now into a Grand Slam final for the 12th consecutive year.

    BBC

  • Serena Williams withdraws from Madrid Open

    Serena Williams withdraws from Madrid Open

    Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week’s Madrid Open, stating she needs more time to prepare for her first clay season since giving birth.

    The 23-time Grand Slam champion fell to early exits at Indian Wells and the Miami Open in her only previous WTA Tour appearances this year.

    Williams, 36, is a two-time champion in the Spanish capital, winning the 2012 and 2013 editions of the tournament.

    “We regret the absence of Serena,” organiser Manolo Santana said.

    “She is one of the great champions of our sport, she has always offered a show to the tournament and we hope to see her again at the Caja Magica in the future.”

    BBC

  • Williams sisters to meet in Indian Wells third round game

    Serena Williams will play her sister Venus in the third round at Indian Wells as she continues her comeback after the birth of her child.

    The 36-year-old American, who was out for 14 months, beat Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 in round two.

    “Everything is a bonus,” said Serena Williams after winning in one hour, 52 minutes on her second match point.

    The sisters last met in the 2017 Australian Open final, when Serena won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title.

    “I would prefer to play someone else, anybody else, literally anybody else, but it has to happen now. So it is what it is,” said Serena.

    Serena was already pregnant with daughter Alexis Olympia, who was born on 1 September, when she beat Venus 6-4 6-4 in Melbourne.

    Venus beat Sorona Cirstea of Romania in her second-round match 6-3 6-4.

    They will play their 29th competitive match on Monday, with Serena having won 17 of the previous 28.

    “She looked like she never lost a step,” Venus said of her younger sister. “Great way to come back.”

    Defending champion Elena Vesnina of Russia also moved into the third round after she beat American Catherine Bellis 2-6 6-1 6-1.

    Danish second seed Caroline Wozniacki beat Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena 6-4 6-1, while Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina defeated German Mona Barthel 6-4 6-3.

  • Serena Williams returns to competitive tennis after giving birth

    Former world number one Serena Williams made her return to competitive tennis five months after giving birth as she teamed up with sister Venus for the US team in the Fed Cup.

    In what was a last-minute change to the billing as the Americans had already won the tie against the Netherlands, the pair lost the dead doubles rubber 6-2 6-3.

    But this was never about the scoreline, as demonstrated by the standing ovation and loud cheers that welcomed back the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.

    And among those in the sell-out crowd in Asheville, North Carolina was baby Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

    “It’s great. It’s her first match so I’m glad she got to see it,” Serena said in an on-court interview.

    Serena, playing her first competitive match since winning the 2017 Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant, had been scheduled to partner Lauren Davis for the match against Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs.

    But with the US having already booked their spot in April’s semi-finals, captain Kathy Rinaldi made the popular decision to pair up the Williams sisters, who have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together

    Serena, 36, had already postponed her return this year, missing the Australian Open in January to give her more time to recover from the birth.

    She had revealed she was bedridden for six weeks and had to have surgery after her daughter was delivered by emergency caesarean section.

    She said last week that she had not yet decided whether she will compete at this year’s remaining three Grand Slams.

  • BREAKING: Serena Williams gives birth to baby girl

    Serena Williams gave birth to a 6-pound, 13-ounce baby girl on Friday, ESPN confirmed.

    Moments before her match at the U.S. Open, sister Venus Williams was asked about becoming an aunt.

    “Obviously I’m super excited. Words can’t describe,” she told ESPN.

    Serena Williams had the baby in West Palm Beach, Fla., ESPN reported.

    “I’m so thrilled for her, what a role model she’s going to be for that daughter,” ESPN commentator Chris Evert said during Friday’s afternoon broadcast of the U.S. Open. “I told Serena this, it’s a love you’ve never felt before and I know she’s probably experiencing that right now.”

    Serena announced in April that she was pregnant, posting a selfie on Snapchat with the caption “20 weeks” and later confirming that she and fiancé Alexis Ohanian were expecting their first child.

    She learned she was pregnant just days before the Australian Open began. For her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, Serena beat big sister Venus in the final.

    In true Serena fashion, she has been adamant she’ll return to the tour after having the baby.

    Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, said in an interview recently that the plan is for Williams, barring any complications, to start training in November.

  • Unbelievable:Serena Williams poses nude, shares love story

    Like a movie star, Serena Williams is pompously showing off her baby bump with a nude photo on the cover of Vanity Fair’s August 2017 issue. The celebrated tennis superstar threw caution to the winds by going bare in an effort to show her pregnancy, which is already at the advanced stage.The provocative magazine cover has elicited various mixed reactions from her numerous fans on social media

    The 35-year-old tennis superstar who will be getting married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian after their child’s birth shared their love story. On deciding to marry her, Ohanian said he knew he was going to marry her because she Face-Timed him on his birthday when they couldn’t be together. This was significant for him because Williams is a Jehovah’s Witness and part of the religion involves not observing birthdays.

     

    Hear him: “I felt like a door had been opened to a person who made me want to be my best self. I find myself just wanting to be better by simply being around her because of the standard she holds.”

     

    When asked about how she felt when she discovered she was pregnant, Williams said: “If you would have told me last year in October or November that I would have a baby, not be pregnant but have a baby, I would have thought you were the biggest liar in the world. This is kind of how I am right now. This is happening sooner than later, and it’s going by so fast” she revealed.