Comments on: Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic to Highlight Sony Ericsson Open Final

By: Dapxin

Dapxin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:58:24 +0000

I only managed to see the game,on a terribly choppy internet stream. But I could see all the never say die attitude of Serena, out and out.

Once Andy Murray or Jamie Murray isnt on a tournament out here in london, tenniswise, we are pretty done for.

I have to agree with Will, I thought Kutzie played very well, and she’s indeed overcoming the bit of her that gets in the way of her potentials….

As for the one on williams slam, I dont really mind, the 1% negative connotation…I m black and luckily has never been at the receiving end of racism, even after 4 years in mainland london.

In general, I think some folks are too quick to play the racism card, so much that we are all as guilty.

In the end, if you are still dumb enough to be a racist in 2008, you’ll be for the rest of your live, even if the press uses serena slam or william slam…I mean, a racist is a racist.

my 1cent.

By: pov

pov — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:55:34 +0000

I think it takes a lot of work to turn the phrase “Williams Slam” into something negative.

I’d even say that what is “negative” is the thinking that it takes to produce such a perspective.

It is that type of approach that sometimes leads to the paranoid, hyper-sensitive, self-defeating perspective evidenced in many of Richard Williams’ comments. Here also we see that, even after being offered examples to the contrary, there is a choice to persist in seeing things from a negative standpoint.

By: Aaress

Aaress — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:38:54 +0000

No problem - that’s why we have the comments!

By: Will.I.AM

Will.I.AM — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:37:18 +0000

Sorry to be a jerk about this. I’m 99% sure the term wasn’t meant to be offensive, but that 1% bothers me because there is a better way to phrase it. I’m not asking you to change the article, I just felt I should say something because it doesn’t sit well with me.

By: Aaress

Aaress — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:59:40 +0000

You know Will, we could debate this one till the cows come home . . .

However, you know that I respect your opinion and have taken note of your concern regarding the term. If the phrase bothers you, I offer my sincerest apologies. No offense was intended.

I’m not changing the article, because I personally consider the use of the term “slam” in this context to be doing two or more things in succession in the sport of tennis.

By: Will.I.AM

Will.I.AM — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:12:19 +0000

So if it’s officially called a Williams-Williams Double, what’s the point of the Williams Slam? Oh wait, there is no point!

And what does the Serena Slam have to do with the Williams Slam? Serena Slam deals with GRAND SLAMS! The Williams Slam “record” has nothing to do with winning. It’s just a negative term. The media can be so harsh to the sisters.

By: Aaress

Aaress — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:16:20 +0000

Will.I.AM, I don’t know who coined the term “Williams Slam” either, but as an African-American, I don’t consider it to be a negative connotation. If the same thing had happen to say the Bondarenko sisters, it would be a Bondarenko Slam. Or, for a different era, the Maleeva Slam.

Plus, remember it was Serena who bestowed upon herself the claim to winning a “Serena Slam” back in 2002.

Still, for what it is worth, the Tour officially refers to it as a Williams-Williams Double.

By: Will.I.AM

Will.I.AM — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:57:24 +0000

Great match! It’s a bittersweet moment for me because I love Serena, but I am sad for Svetlana. Kuznetsova played a great match, and I think she is starting to live up to her potential. She is much better than one grand slam title. It seems that her mind is catching up to her game.

Also, I don’t know who coined the term “Williams Slam”, but people shouldn’t use it. Call me sensitive if you like, but it harbors such a negative connotation! Williams Slam?! An elite group of members who have “slammed” the williams sisters? Not “Williams Double”? It’s things like this that give credibility to Richard Williams’ comments about racism on the tour. And I’m sure it’s not meant to be racist, but the imagery of the term suggests otherwise.

Go Serena!