Yes. Nothing to do with your basis for opinion, Brendan.
But I see Serena as someone who grew up very much as an outsider to the tennis world, being black, not well off, not a classic size, no classic coaching system.....and is consequently very reserved, knowing that everyone wants to bring her down. Arrogance may be the defence mechanism needed, but when everyone (the media etc) wants the girls to play well but also be cute and cutesy, she's had to fight against a lot to get where she is.

indiana wrote:

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brendan wrote:

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the most arrogant person ever, treating everyone as if it's a privilege for them to breathe the same air as her

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And Fed a few days ago came out straightfaced with a comment that it must be great for all those Wimbledon fans still to get a chance to see him on court. Not untypical from him and at times fairly unintentionally funny in its own way. 

I remember Steven suggesting it was probably a German part of his Swiss character and can unintentionally grate with some of us Brits, and it still generally grates with me. Though I guess he hasn't got much to be humble about.

However, I love watching Fed play tennis and Serena too and it is great to have them both still around. But let us be the ones to say that   

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 It's been tempered in the men by having the 4 of them dominating whereas Serena hasn't had anyone to humble her, that in itself is obviously admirable for those who can just see her as a tennis player and ignore her demeanour.

I think Serena has had to fight her whole life against tremendous odds and deserves a huge amount of credit and respect for that. Even what she had to go through following the birth of her child was extraordinarily tough and scary. She also appears extremely loyal to those around her and her friends, as I'm sure Caroline Wozniacki would attest. Also she has remained one of the larger current spokespersons for women's rights and equality on the tour, which I also salute her for.

She may not have always been squeaky clean, but both she and Venus will always have my huge respect for what they've achieved coming from the streets of Compton - where even after they were successful, one of their sisters was still shot and killed, as a reminder of what their origins were like.

scottie1 wrote:

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I have never liked Serena after threatening the umpire in the Stosur US Final

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 No one always acts perfectly. As Dan Evans, Krygios and such can testify. We've all said or done things that we probably shouldn't have.....

scottie1 wrote:

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Coup Droit wrote:

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scottie1 wrote:

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I have never liked Serena after threatening the umpire in the Stosur US Final

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 No one always acts perfectly. As Dan Evans, Krygios and such can testify. We've all said or done things that we probably shouldn't have.....

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maybe so but threatening an umpire has no place in tennis she should have been defaulted at that final  

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 You're probably right. And that's my point. Everyone acts wrongly sometimes , especially in the heat of the moment.

But Serena's foundation, from my understanding, does a large amount of good for charitable causes, she acts as a spearhead for all underprivileged kids to show what is possible,  and - like Michael- I think her very close friendship with Woz and her support when she really needed it was great.

Jajon wrote:

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telstar wrote:

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Jajon wrote:

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Wait, how are people not supporting Serena?? What shes doing is incredible??

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 I am afraid that a combination of the incident when Williams hid from the drug tester, her threatening a line judge and her bizarre (and unexplained) behaviour in a Wimbledon dubs match have made me deeply suspicious of her.  As far as I'm concerned I become an instant fan of any of her opponents!

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 If youre talking about the incident recently, didnt the drug tester come outside of the alocated time slot she had given him and serena wasnt at home so she had no responsibility to return? Shes only been on the tour a few months and already been drug tested more than her American compatriots AND shes a new mother, shes not going to Ben putting illegal things into her body which her daughter would then consume? 

As pointed out by others, just highlights the difference men and women (let alone black women) are treated really doesnt it? Rafa shouts VAMOS and hes a great competitor!! Serena shouts and shes intomidating and scary!! 

Respect greatness when its right in front of you xxx

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 The Williams 'panic room' incident was some years ago. As far as I'm concerned she and Nadal have extraordinarily ugly styles of play with, what appears to be, personalities to match. No tournament can be properly enjoyed until both have lost! Yes Federer (and Djokovic) are arrogant but their style of tennis is great to watch

-- Edited by telstar on Tuesday 10th of July 2018 05:26:50 PM

-- Edited by telstar on Tuesday 10th of July 2018 10:06:33 PM