Serena Williams hinirang na AP Female Athlete of the Decade

MANILA, Philippines — Dinomina ni tennis star Serena Williams ang isang dekada.

Unang-una dito ang pagkopo niya sa ilang Grand Slam single titles na wala pang nakaka­ga­wa sa nakaraang 10 seasons at 3 1/2 sunod na ta­on bilang No. 1 sa WTA rankings.

Nagkaroon din siya ng celebrity status kung saan ang bawat sabihin at gawin niya ay isang ma­laking balita ito man ay ang kanyang mga panalo, mga fashion statements o pakikipagtalo sa mga tournament officials.

Ipinangalandakan ni­ya sa mga magazine co­vers o Super Bowl ad ang mensahe ukol sa women’s power, ang pagsilang ni­ya ng anak at ang pag­ka­karoon ng sakit.

Ngunit mas matimbang pa rin ang kanyang mga panalo at pagpasok sa Grand Slam finals.

Napili si Williams bilang The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Decade.

Ibinoto siya ng mga AP member sports editors at AP beat writers.

Pormal namang ihaha­yag ang AP Male Athlete of the Decade ngayon.

“When the history books are written, it could be that the great Serena Williams is the greatest athlete of all time. ... I like to call it the ‘Serena Superpowers’ — that champion’s mindset. Irrespective of the adversity and the odds that are facing her, she always believes in herself,” wika ni Stacey Allaster, ang CEO ng WTA mula noong 2009 hanggang 2015 at ngayon ay chief executive para sa professional tennis  sa U.S. Tennis Association na nagpapatakbo sa U.S. Open.

“Whether it was health issues; coming back; ha­ving a child; almost dying from that — she has endured it all and she is still in championship form,” dagdag pa ni Allaster. “Her records speak for themselves.”

Inungusan ni Williams para sa nasabing AP ward sina gymnast Si­mone Biles, ang 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year, at swimmer Katie Ledecky.

Tinalo din ni Williams sina ski racers Lindsey Vonn at Mikaela Shiffrin fifth.

Ang tatlo sa limang AP Female Athlete of the Year awards ni Williams ay noong 2013, 2015 at 2018.

Nagwagi din siya noong 2002 at 2009.

“She’s been my idol growing up,” wika naman ni Biles sa American netter.

“She’s remained humble. She’s stayed true to herself and her character and I think that’s really neat about an athlete. Once you start winning, some get cocky, but she’s stayed true to herself, win or lose,” dagdag pa nito.

Ayon kay Williams, sa tuwing matatalo siya sa laro ay lalo pa siyang nag­­pupursiging makaba­ngon para makamit ang tagumpay.