Serena Williams will take center stage for ESPN again this summer as the host of the 2024 edition of its annual ESPY Awards, the American sport broadcasting network announced on Tuesday.
via Imago
Tennis can get intense at times. A perfect example of this would be the 2018 US Open when tennis legend Serena Williams faced Naomi Osaka. In a recent turn of events, renowned journalist Ben Rothenberg shed a different light on the whole debacle that took place in 2018. Rothenberg detailed the whole US Open event as a cultural moment.
Appropriation in tennis and disputes over it are not foreign concepts in tennis. This makes even more sense when the context of what happened during that match is displayed wide open. However, what Rothenberg said about Osaka and the title match is worth talking about.
Ben Rothenberg’s take on Naomi Osaka
Tennis finals are usually about the clash of rackets and serve. However, the 2018 US Open final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka became something more. In the eyes of renowned journalist Ben Rothenberg, this wasn’t just a match. It was a seismic shift in the tennis landscape. As the 20th seed, Naomi Osaka stepped onto the court; she didn’t just pay.
The victory in straight sets against her idol, Serena Williams, should have been the headline. Yet it was overshadowed by a different narrative. A clash erupted during the US Open, not only between two players but between Williams and chair umpire Carlos Ramos as well. Code violations for coaching from the sidelines and racquet abuse were the major factors. This resulted in the deduction of a game, and Williams’s fiery words marked a match that would be etched into tennis lore.
Ben Rothenberg dissected the tumultuous event and described it as a cultural watershed. In his words, “It was a huge, huge cultural moment and broke across some really interesting cultural lines.” The controversy surrounded Naomi Osaka and provided an unexpected propulsion to her career. Winning a Grand Slam title is impressive, but winning it amid the most talked-about, controversial tennis match of all time elevated Osaka into a higher orbit of attention and celebrity.
“Even if Naomi had nothing to do with any of the actual controversy,” Ben Rothenberg emphasized, “it really did launch her into a much higher, faster orbit of attention and celebrity than she would have just from winning a grand slam title.” The 2018 US Open wasn’t just a tennis match; it was a catapult that launched Osaka into the spotlight, where she remains a shining star today.
Osaka’s comeback at the Australian Open
As the tennis world eagerly awaits, whispers of anticipation surround Osaka’s imminent return to the court. Fans, still captivated by the echoes of the 2018 US Open, are brimming with excitement as she gears up for a comeback, set to unfold at the Australian Open.
The prospect of witnessing Osaka’s resilience after the tumultuous events of 2018 has created a buzz in the tennis circuit. From the controversial spotlight of the past to the bright expectations of her return, Osaka’s journey continues to capture the imaginations of fans. The Australian Open is poised for the return of a star who emerged from the storm stronger than ever. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Serena Williams has served an ace of determination with her unwavering competitiveness. In her two-decade-long tennis career, she has stood out as an embodiment of what competitive edge looks like. Recently, her childhood coach, Rick Macci, who has seen her grow in the sport, talked about how the 23-time Grand Slam champion was even ready to move past her elder sister in the spirit of her competitive nature.
Venus and Serena Williams both entered the tennis circuit around the same time, but somewhere down the line, the 42-year-old American legend spread her wings bigger than her elder sister. And now, Macci talked about how, since the very first day of her picking the racket, her competitiveness has made her what she is today.
Serena Williams’ former coach talks about competitiveness
In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, the 69-year-old American tennis coach talked about his perspective on the game and, along with that, highlighted some unknown facts about the players he has trained, including the Williams sisters. While talking about the iconic sisters, he talked about one key aspect that made the 23-time Grand Slam champion different from her elder sister.
He said, “It was her competitiveness. It didn’t matter, if there was like a piece of chicken on the table she pushed Venus out of the way to get it. She had to be the first to take a drink. She was always like had to be first, she was so competitive.”
In addition, he also addressed the fact that the 43-year-old American was quite great in the game; However, Serena Williams’ personality was something that made her stand out of the crowd and even move past her elder sister. Macci stated, “The only thing when she was a kid sometimes, she wasn’t sticking to it as Venus because Venus was more mature.”
Further, he didn’t stop there and highlighted that, whether on or off the court, the younger sister’s competitiveness gave her an edge in her house. However, a few months ago, he also discussed the same context, drawing out the only real difference between the legendary sisters.
The real difference between Venus and Serena Williams!
Earlier in October, Rick Macci took to his Instagram account to make a huge revelation about the only real difference between the sisters. He tweeted, “The only Real difference between Serena & Venus Williams, is they have a different First name.”
The only Real difference between @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams is they have a different First name. Amazing two Compton Peas in a Pod and sisters like no other. Both champions on the court BUT even better human beings off the court. Love VEE AND MEEK!
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) October 20, 2023
Along with that, he completed the statement, saying that they are just the amazing two Compton peas in a pod and a pair of sisters like no other. He concluded his statement by saying that even though both are champions on the athletic front, they are even more amazing human beings in the real world.
Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Rick Macci’s confession regarding the Williams sisters? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian recently treated their daughter Olympia to an unforgettable experience at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Williams and Ohanian regularly offer glimpses of their exciting adventures with their daughters on social media, sharing highlights from their cherished time together. Ohanian, in particular, takes an active interest in Olympia’s extracurricular pursuits, often joining her in activities like Lego building, ballet and golf.
The couple recently took their daughter Olympia to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a popular destination for fans of the space-themed franchise at both Disneyland and Disney World. The family visited Savi’s Workshop, where they crafted their own personalized lightsabers.
Serena Williams documented the process of her and Olympia handpicking components for their custom lightsabers, offering a peek into the extraordinary experience. Ohanian also took to social media and shared his experience of guiding the six-year-old through the process.
The 42-year-old later showed off the finished product, revealing that while she had opted for a blue lightsaber, Olympia had chosen red for hers.
“Coco Gauff is not Serena Williams, but she can win some Grand Slams” – Williams’ former coach Rick Macci
Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, recently hailed Coco Gauff as the best female athlete on tour, comparing her athletic prowess to that of an Olympic-level sprinter.
“Coco, the best female athlete on the tour. She’s an Olympic sprinter with a racquet in her hand,” he said on the Match Point Canada podcast.
He added that the 19-year-old’s increased confidence had aided in concealing her “dodgy” forehand.
“The forehand’s a little dodgy. I know she kinda covered it up during the summer, but there’s a little bump there. But when you are confident, as you know, you don’t see it as much. But maybe, when you have the people change the pace, you’re not as confident,” he added.
Macci contended that although Gauff lacked Williams’ all-around power on the court, the reigining US Open champion was likely to win more Grand Slam titles in the future.
“So, she’s not Serena, but she can win some Grand Slams,” he said.
While discussing his former protege, Macci also praised the 23-time Grand Slam champion as one of the greatest female athletes in history.
“She’s the best athlete to ever hold a racket and maybe one of the best female athletes of all time. Big, strong, fast, quick, flexible, could do the splits. She also knew where you were going to hit the ball before you did. She had the rage inside, she gave me that look even at 10 years old. She had all the time in the world,” he said.
Lewis Hamilton is still chasing a record eighth world championship, much to the annoyance of fan Serena Williams.
Serena Williams is backing Lewis Hamilton to win a record eighth Formula One world championship because she believes that the British driver should already have nine. The retired tennis great’s comment came after Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that he was motivated by ‘personal anger’ in his efforts to land an elusive eighth title with F1 legend Hamilton.
The 38-year-old star has not won a race for over two years after Red Bull emerged as the dominant force in the sport, with Max Verstappen winning three consecutive drivers’ championships after Hamilton had won four on the bounce.
Speaking to the PA, Wolff said: “We are living in a hamster wheel where time passes so quickly that it doesn’t feel like it has been two years. You can see how quickly the pecking order changes. But, we have to look forward, learn from the past, and push now to make Lewis win quickly again. I have a personal anger and drive to make him win the eighth title because he should have it.”
The Mercedes boss’ comments were shared on Instagram before they were picked up on by Williams. Commenting on Hamilton, the 22-time Grand Slam champion wrote: “He should have had 9 already. But…lemme be quiet.”
Serena Williams believes Lewis Hamilton should have nine world titles. (Image: Getty)
It is not exactly clear which seasons Williams was referring to where Hamilton could have snatched another two world championship titles but the greatest British driver of all time has been denied the title on the final day of the season on no fewer than three occasions.
By far the most controversial was at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021 when Hamilton appeared to be on course for his fifth straight title before a late safety car incident allowed Verstappen to close the gap on his rival after race officials permitted the Dutchman to overtake backmarkers
Verstappen had jumped into the pits just before the safety car lap to put on fresh tyres and with a significant grip advantage he was able to overtake Hamilton on the final lap to land his first world title with Red Bull.
Respect appears to be mutual between Hamilton and Williams, with the Mercedes star taking to social media to pay tribute to the American after she retired from tennis in 2022.
On hearing her announcement, Hamilton wrote on Instagram: “Taking a moment before the race today to show my appreciation and gratitude to the greatest of all time,@serenawilliams. We will never see another Serena. She’s one of a kind. She came through like a wrecking ball and has been so spectacular to witness.
“I remember watching her and Venus at their first games with my dad on TV. Seeing such talented women dominating a field where no one looked like them gave me hope. They made me believe that superheroes are real, and they can look me and my family.”