Serena Williams poses in London with her new autobiography November 2009. Reuters photos
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American tennis player Serena Williams - the richest sportswoman in history - has brought out a new autobiography called ’My Life: Queen of the Court’.
WORDS TO INSPIRE
The Guardian newspaper, in a review of the book, reveals that Serena shares how she writes down inspirational words on Post-it notes and sticks them to her racket bag.
"Show no emotion," she will write, "UR black and U can endure anything. Endure. Persevere. Stand tall".
Another one is: "Be strong. Be black. Now’s your time 2 shine".
CONNECTING WITH AFRICA
After her older sister Yetunde’s gang-related murder, Serena hit a major slump - almost ending her career.
Two things dragged her back to the top of the game: her faith – the Williams family are Jehovah’s Witnesses – and a "back to their roots" trip to the historic slave centres of West Africa. In her book Serena suggests this trip helped her to restore her pride and self-esteem, and re-ignited her desire to win.
FIERCE AMBITION...
Never mind Beyonce’s ‘Sasha Fierce’ alter ego, here is 28-year-old Serena Williams’s ‘mantra for success’:
"Hold serve, hold serve, hold serve. Focus, focus, focus. Be confident, be confident, be confident. Hold serve, hold, hold. Move up. Attack. Kill. Smile".
Whew! Beware the smile.....
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Serena’s mantra has worked for her: She is ending 2009 as the No 1 player in the women’s tennis rankings.
This is the second time in her career that she is top of the year-ending rankings - the first time being back in 2002.
“2009 has been a truly memorable season for me, during which I enjoyed some of the biggest wins of my career,” Serena Williams said of the achievement. “Capturing the year-end world number one ranking is a huge accomplishment for me and I am thrilled that all the hard work has paid off.”
$1,5 MILLION JACKPOT BONUS
Serena beat her sister Venus Williams in the final of the WTA Championships on Sunday, underlining her dominance at the top of women’s tennis. And here’s the clincher - because she won all of her round-robin matches on her way to final victory, she also earned herself a $1,5 million jackpot.
Sources: Reuters, Sapa-dpa and The Guardian newspaper (web link)
Compiled by Sowetan Online
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