Serena 'It's a recession dammit!'

Tennis great Serena Williams has been blogging about her career aspirations.  The legendary tennis player wrote on her Global Grind page that she has begun training to become a certified nail technician:

...I had a brilliant idea to get certified to be a nail tech. Besides the fact that I am coming out with a nail collection from a company called HairTech, I thought “Serena this is a no brainer.” Immediately after I came home from the Australian Open I researched some schools and enrolled in a course that allowed me to complete 240 hours (that’s what u have to do to get certified at least in fla) at my own pace. 240 hours may seem like a lot, but I intend on completing it within the year. It normally takes 6 weeks!!!

I ain't mad at  her.  She can't play top level tennis forever and it's a recession dammit!

Serena's Blog

Serena aces the latest issue of VIBE Magazine

Serena fined 10 weeks later...

Serena Williams has been fined a record $82,500 for her tirade at this year's US Open and could be suspended from the tournament if she commits another "major offence" in the next two years, according to Associated Press.

Though she avoided a grand slam tournament ban, USTA administrator Bill Babcock told the AP today that the world's number one female tennis player faces a "probationary period" at grand slam tournaments in 2010 and 2011.

If Williams has another incident at a major championship in that time, the fine would increase to $175,000 and she would be barred from the following US Open. The previous largest fine was $48,000.

During the third set of Williams' semi-final defeat to Kim Clijsters at Flushing Meadows this year the American went compton on her azz launched a foul-mouthed tirade at an lineswoman who foot-faulted the defending champion. The one-point penalty Williams received from the umpire for the outburst handed Kim Clijsters the match and later the US Open Women's title.

Source: AP

This is getting to be a bit much

I'm calling double fault on Serena Williams for her nude photo shoot for Glamour magazine. (I hope I don't get a beat down for this.) She is being honored as Woman of the Year along with First Lady Michelle Obama, poet and author Maya Angelou, and Rihanna (<--how did that happen?). I vehemently defended Serena for her ESPN Magazine nude photo shoot. I thought it was very appropriate for their body issue and she was not the only nude in the issue, however I see absolutely no good reason for her to be nude in the Woman of the Year Issue. It lacks taste to be ass out next to the FLOTUS and a Pulitzer Prize nominee. She needs to take that to King Smooth Magazine. Before I catch any flack for that Rihanna quip a few lines up, think about it. Mrs. Obama is an international role model who has championed many causes in the past year in the White House. Maya Angelou has more literary awards than I can remember as well as a number of Grammys. Rihanna, while I enjoy some of her songs, has done little more this year than look fetching.

Serena's haters are dead quiet now

All those in sports and media who were calling for tennis great Serena Williams to be fined, suspended, and maybe even stripped of her Australian Open title after he outburst at a line judge are dead quiet now. Stunned silence greated Andre Agassi's revelation he took crystal meth and lied to ATP officials about his usage in his new autobiography Open. Those ATP officials allowed him to skate on positive drug test results during his heyday. It will be interesting to see what, if any, repercussions these confessions have on his legacy and retention of his eight grand slam titles. At the time of his drug use, Agassi was married to teen screen queen Brooke Shields; he subsequently married tennis great Steffi Graf.

Serena's Edible Balls

Are Serena and Common still together?

Serena looked lovely on the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien last night. I loved the hair, makeup, and shoes. She had a great sense of humor, especially when Jeong started teasing her. I found it very interesting she did not mention Common when Conan asked her if she was seeing anyone.

Serena may lose more than her top after this

The International Tennis Association is considering stripping Serena Williams of more than her bikini top after her recent photoshoot for ESPN magazine's body issue. Serena's oiled up nude body made the cover of the magazine and sparked worldwide commentary on her backside as opposed to her back hand. The ITA thinks the photos send the wrong message about professional tennis and is considering fining Serena a half million dollars, stripping her of her Australian Open title, and banning her from the sport for a period of time.

When I first read this my reaction was "EXCUSE me?" I am all for professional associations promoting morality amongst their members, but I think this is going way too far. I understand they have an image to uphold, but this photoshoot was something Serena did on her own time. It was not in conjunction with any tournament. I simply do not see what gives them the right to ban her and strip her title. It's not as if she made a porno with her trophies in full view of the camera R. Kelly, robbed a bank, or killed someone. If she won the tournament I don't think that win can/should be undone regardless of her subsequent behavior.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love the cover. I have defended her for doing the cover shot because I think it is artistic and in line with what the other athletes in the issue did with their photos. The topless pic inside the magazine is another story. In my opinion, it is a bit too racy and is better suited for Smooth or King. Individual tastes aside, her pictures are not posed like U.S. Fed Cup winner Ashley Harkleroad (who?) was for Playboy in 2008. I recall absolutely no furor over her being the first tennis player to pose for Hef's magazine.

Quiet as it's (not) kept, many people have wanted Venus and Serena out of the tennis world since they first debuted on the circuit. They are just too good. and too black. Despite a few breakthroughs like Zena Garrison and Arthur Ashe, tennis has traditionally been a lily white sport. When the Williams sisters made the scene they blew their competitors away with their unapologetic style and ability on the court. They endured a lot of racism from other coaches, players, judges, etc. but triumphed nonetheless. They continue to dominate to this day and a lot of people resent it. It think this photoshoot flap is just an excuse to try and get rid of them.

Serena New Tampax Spokeswoman

beats Mother Nature's ass for Proctor and Gamble....
The effort, via Leo Burnett, Digitas and Starcom Mediavest Group, is a continuation of the brand’s “Outsmart Mother Nature” campaign, which shows a pesky character, Mother Nature, attempting to deliver women their monthly periods (in the form of a red ribbon-topped gift box). The campaign kicks off this week.

Serena issued an apology for her outburst

"I want to amend my press statement of yesterday, and want to make it clear
as possible - I want to sincerely apologize FIRST to the lines woman, Kim
Clijsters, the USTA and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate
outburst. I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I'm
wrong. I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself
inappropriately and it's not the way to act -- win or lose, good call or bad
call in any sport, in any manner. I like to lead by example. We all learn
from experiences both good and bad, I will learn and grow from this, and be a
better person as a result."

What she really meant was put your lips where this flower is.

Serena lost it on Saturday

I think her conduct was certainly unsportsmanlike and less that what I would expect from one of the Williams sisters. They know they have always had to be better than everyone else in the sport just to be accepted and respected. I remember when other players did not want to change in the same locker room with them and complained constantly about their outfits, on court grunts, and the beads in their hair.

At the end of the day, I can understand, if not condone, Serena's outburst because the judge was incorrect. Not only did Serena lose the point on the judge's bad call, she lost another point which cost her the match. She was fined $10,000 and of course is out of the running for the title and prize money. The outburst may affect some of her endorsements and there is talk of further sanctions. All of this is a bit much considering the notorious conduct of Bobby Knight and John McEnroe. McEnroe had outbursts like this virtually every time he played.

Williams Sisters Buy Stake In Miami Dolphins

Tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams will be announced next week as Miami Dolphins limited ownership partners, a person familiar with the deal said.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross indicated Monday that three limited partners would be announced next Tuesday and at least one would be African-American. Ross also has said he wants the ownership group to reflect South Florida's diversity. Ross has brought in Hispanic music personalities Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony and Ricky Ricardo as limited partners this summer.

The Williams sisters, who were raised in Compton, Calif., but live in Palm Beach Gardens, have won a combined 18 Grand Slam tennis titles and would be the Dolphins' first African-American ownership partners.

Kanye knows no bounds

Now that he's--ahem--"mastered" music and fashion, Kanye is ready to broaden his horizons to the sports world. He has reportedly tapped Wimbeldon champ, Serena Williams, to give him some tennis pointers.

Serena Williams Won Wimbeldon

Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus Saturday in the women's finals at Wimbeldon. Serena won 7-6 6-2 to earn her 11th Grand Slam singles title in the 21st career meeting of the sisters. This victory brings her one short of the record set by legend Billie Jean King who was watching center court from the Royal Box on Saturday.

Williams Sisters Meet in Wimbleton Final (again)

Richard Williams refuses to watch his daughters Venus and Serena play each other. Says he simply can't bear to see it, no matter the setting, no matter the stage. So once again, the patriarch of the greatest sister act in tennis history is heading home to the United States before the Wimbledon final. That's because the women's singles championship at the All England Club is Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams for the second year in a row and fourth time overall. Serena won this year, 7-6, 6-2.