Comments on: Serena Williams Races Past Dinara Safina to Win 2009 Australian Open Title

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:27:42 +0000

Conley,

The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour officially takes into count the statistics from the Open Era. Margaret Court only won 11 of her major titles during this time period.

By: Conley

Conley — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:14:40 +0000

For some reason the stats people are not on their game. Margaret Smith Court holds the record for most single slams wins by a man or woman at 24. I believe Ms Court has won 11 Aussie titles.

By: pov

pov — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:50:38 +0000

Thanks Aaress.

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:31:31 +0000

LOL, Pov! You’re fine. We were having some issues with the site over the past few days and everyone’s comments were set to be held into moderation.

It’s back to the old system now, so you should be able to comment away without any trouble.

By: pov

pov — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:28:38 +0000

Dang – I’ve been relegated to my comments being moderated. Whadidaido! lol

By: pov

pov — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:27:28 +0000

IMO – I can easily see why, for many people, Serena Williams stands out as being ungracious. I’m not a fan of hers however 2 things I’ll say 1 – she wins a lot of major tournaments 2 – when Azarenka was feeling unwell, Williams’ expressed concern was clearly sincere.

By: paula

paula — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:10:53 +0000

oops- longest women’s wimby final in history.

That said, I was the best man at my friend’s wedding, and I gave the WORST speech ever. Speeches are hard. Give love. And compassion.
OK, I’m going to get all like Mary Carillo, but not on TV.

By: paula

paula — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:09:02 +0000

Mary Carillo was drunk as ****. I like drunk people, in bars, but not on TV. How does she keep her job? I am jealous.

Serena was fine. There have been much worse re: speeches. She kicked everyone’s butt. And she said more than “she made me play my best tennis” (the only thing venus said during the longest womens final against Lindsay, and I still love Venus, but that was an ugly moment). She did. God bless.http://tennisisametaphorforlife.blogspot.com/

By: c

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:14:36 +0000

Huh? Mary Carillo gushing over Serena? Other blogs I’ve read characterize Mary Carillo as a “Williams sisters hater”.
There are plenty of other “not gracious” athletes. Calling out Serena on this is NOT to say she is the only one – maybe she seems like the “most ungracious” this particular Open? or in a set of players? She’s got some work to do to if she’s going to make the all-time Champion Poor Loser list.
Some of the Serena defenders ought to recall some of the same criticism leveled at Henin or Sharapova when they were perceived to be unsportsmanlike. (Perhaps if you are quite ancient you will remember like observations about McEnroe and Connors).

It really isn’t all about Serena-hate.

By: elisse

elisse — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:52:33 +0000

Linda, Serena also thanked volunteers, the fans and Dinara. Her speech was gracious, but it was very Serena-like. She has loads of personality and self-belief which I guess annoy some people. I thought her speech was fine and I noticed her trying to cheer up Dinara at the end. She even tried to apologize for beating her so badly! It was an awkward moment. Serena says “I have to go for broke against you. That was all I could do.” Almost apologizing for routing her that way. It shows respect though that is for sure.

I agree with you about Mary Carillo. The only time I actually wanted Chris Fowler to continue talking.