Why can’t people just be happy or just happy for someone, is that really too much to ask? Tearing down the winner happens even in the world of tennis, as was the case this past week.
Serena Williams will go down in history as arguably the greatest tennis player of all times. After winning Wimbledon on Saturday, Williams started to receive criticism over her body.
If you look at Williams and compare her to other tennis players you can see the obvious difference in size. But when a tweet was sent out saying, “the main reason for her success is that she is built like a man.” the tweet set off a firestorm.
First of all if Williams does want to work out, what is the problem? Men have been working out long before she came along to gain the advantage. So now some troll on the internet feels it is his duty to call out a physically fit woman on her size.
My response is simple to the person responsible for tweeting the comment. I suppose her superior talent on the tennis court had nothing to do with it? Her explosive first serve, her ability to cover the court side to side, and putting shots close enough to the line and out of her opponents reach probably had nothing to do with it. Or the fact she keeps her opponent guessing on where the next shot will be placed or finding her opponent’s weakness and exploiting it.
She probably won her recent Wimbledon title on sheer size alone. Please, it’s not the UFC; it’s professional tennis, with professional athletes involved. The players involved are the elite players in the world just like other organizations.
In men’s tennis, the biggest athletes are not usually the winners, so what gives? It is about having the skill to play, a strong mindset, and being fit enough to compete on the highest level. Even if it is tennis.
Just like most other sports, there will always be the next great player. It just happens that Williams is the player to beat as of today. Maybe others should put in the time and work it takes to play on the biggest stage.
On the lighter side, author J. K. Rowling came to the defense of Williams. Probably not exactly who Williams expected but I think she got her point across.
Williams also has a way of drawing negative attention to herself. She has created some controversy with outbursts and language on the court, nothing professional athletes have not been doing for years. It just draws more attention when it comes from women’s tennis.
In the meantime, just enjoy the win and stop looking for ways to ride down on people for winning. Right on.