23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams will close out 2019 on a high after being handed a prestigious honour from the Associated Press News Agency (AP).
The former world No.1 has been voted by the publication as the greatest female athlete of the past decade. Fending off competition from the likes of Gymnast Simone Biles and Olympic skier Lindsay Vonn. In a press release, the AP has praised Williams for her ‘celebrity status that transcended tennis.’ In August the 38-year-old was named the highest paid sportswoman in the world by Forbes magazine.
Williams has won 37 out of her 72 WTA titles during the last decade (2010-2019), which includes 12 grand slam trophies. More than anybody else on the WTA Tour during that same period. She has achieved various milestones, including becoming the oldest world No.1 in 2017 and the oldest grand slam finalist in the Open Era at the US Open earlier this year. She spent 186 consecutive weeks as world No.1 between 2013-2016. Something that has only ever been matched by Stefi Graf (1987-1991) since the WTA Rankings was introduced.
Away from the court, the American player became a mother for the first time in 2017 before returning to compete once again. Since the birth of her child, Williams hasn’t won a title on the tour. However, she has finished runner-up in four of the last six grand slam tournaments. Overall, she has reached the final in 19 out of 33 majors she played during the last decade.
“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,” WTA CEO Stacey Allaster told ap.com.
“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. Her records speak for themselves.”
Williams’ latest honour was decided in a vote conducted by AP member sports editors and AP beat writers. Although it is unclear as to how many took part. The Associated Press operates in over 250 locations worldwide.
Besides her status as female athlete of the decade, Williams has also previously been named female athlete of the year from the same agency five times.
The world No.10 is the second-oldest player in the WTA top 100 after sister Venus.
