The Story Behind Serena Williams

theScore
12 Oct 202219:51

Summary

TLDRThe video script chronicles Serena Williams' journey, highlighting her record-breaking achievements and the adversities she faced. It details her rise in a predominantly white sport, the impact of her powerful play style, and her resilience in overcoming injuries and personal tragedies. The narrative also touches on her advocacy against racism and her ventures beyond tennis, showcasing her as a global icon and a trailblazer in and off the court.

Takeaways

  • 🎾 Serena Williams is considered one of the greatest athletes in history, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 doubles titles, and 4 Olympic gold medals.
  • 👨‍👧 Serena's father, Richard Williams, had a significant influence on her and her sister Venus' tennis careers, starting their training from a young age on public courts in Compton.
  • 🌟 Serena's playing style, characterized by powerful ground strokes and an aggressive baseline game, revolutionized women's tennis and forced other players to adapt.
  • 🏆 Serena won her first major title at the 1999 U.S. Open, defeating Martina Hingis, and has since accumulated numerous records and achievements in the sport.
  • 👭 Serena and Venus Williams have had a complex rivalry, with Serena often struggling to play her best against her sister in singles matches.
  • 😔 Serena faced significant challenges, including injuries, illnesses, personal tragedy, and racism, throughout her career.
  • 🚫 The Williams sisters boycotted the Indian Wells tournament for 14 years due to racial abuse they experienced during a match in 2001.
  • 💪 Serena's resilience was evident when she returned to tennis after a series of setbacks, including the murder of her half-sister Yetunde Price.
  • 🤰 Serena won the 2017 Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant, marking a significant achievement in her career.
  • 🏥 Serena's difficult childbirth and the health complications that followed highlighted the disparities in maternal health care for black women in the U.S.
  • 💔 Serena's controversial loss at the 2018 U.S. Open final against Naomi Osaka sparked discussions about sportsmanship and the treatment of black athletes.

Q & A

  • What significant achievements has Serena Williams accomplished in her tennis career?

    -Serena Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, four Olympic gold medals, and has had 843 match wins. She has spent 319 weeks at world number one and earned over 93 million dollars in prize money, making her the most decorated tennis player.

  • What challenges did Serena Williams face throughout her career?

    -Serena Williams has had to overcome chronic injuries, life-threatening illnesses, personal tragedy, relentless pressure, and racism, both overt and coded, from fans and the tennis establishment.

  • How did Serena Williams' father, Richard Williams, influence her and her sister Venus' early tennis training?

    -Richard Williams decided to train Serena and Venus to be professional tennis players after watching a tennis tournament on TV. He moved the family to Compton, California, and trained them on public courts, instilling in them toughness, strong-mindedness, and fearlessness from a young age.

  • How did the Williams sisters change the dynamics of women's tennis?

    -Venus and Serena brought a power game with their baseline play to the WTA, which was previously more focused on finesse and consistency. Their style forced the rest of the tour to adapt to the new level of power and athleticism.

  • What was the turning point in Serena Williams' rivalry with her sister Venus on the court?

    -Serena stopped looking at Venus during their matches because seeing her sister's disappointed face made it difficult for her to try her hardest to win, which helped her to start winning more of their head-to-head matches.

  • How did the incident at the 2001 Indian Wells tournament affect Serena Williams and her family?

    -Serena and Venus boycotted the Indian Wells tournament for 14 years following the incident where they faced racial slurs and boos from the crowd. This event highlighted the racism they faced in the tennis world.

  • What personal tragedy did Serena Williams experience that affected her tennis career?

    -Serena's oldest half-sister, Yetunde Price, was killed in a shooting in Compton, which deeply affected Serena and Venus. Serena took eight months off from tennis and suffered from depression as a result of the tragedy.

  • How did Serena Williams' injury and health issues impact her performance and ranking in tennis?

    -Serena faced multiple injuries and health issues, including a pulmonary embolism and a life-threatening blood clot in her lungs, which interrupted her progress and caused her ranking to fall to 140th in the world.

  • What was the significance of Serena Williams' return to Indian Wells in 2015?

    -Serena Williams' return to Indian Wells in 2015 was significant as it marked her decision to speak out against racism and support the Equal Justice Initiative. She also raised $200,000 for the cause.

  • How did Serena Williams' pregnancy and the complications that followed affect her career?

    -Serena's pregnancy and the complications, including life-threatening health issues and multiple surgeries, led to her taking over a year off from tennis. However, she returned to the tour and made it to the Wimbledon final as a mother.

  • What is the current status of Serena Williams' career and her thoughts on retirement?

    -As of August 2022, Serena Williams announced that she is evolving away from tennis to focus on her venture capital firm and spend more time with her family, potentially marking the end of her highly decorated career.

Outlines

00:00

🎾 Serena Williams: The Path to Greatness

This paragraph introduces Serena Williams as the most decorated tennis player and one of the greatest athletes, detailing her record-breaking achievements including Grand Slam titles, Olympic gold medals, match wins, and prize money. It also touches on the adversities she faced such as injuries, illnesses, personal tragedies, and the racism within the tennis establishment. Serena's early life, her family's move to Compton, and her father's vision to make her and her sister Venus professional tennis players are highlighted. The paragraph also discusses how Serena and Venus revolutionized women's tennis with their powerful playing style, leading to Serena's dominance on the court with her exceptional skills and fierce competitive spirit.

05:00

🏆 Overcoming Challenges and Controversies

The second paragraph delves into the controversies and challenges Serena faced throughout her career, including the speculation of match-fixing by her father, Richard, and the racial tensions that marred her matches, particularly at Indian Wells. It recounts the incident in 2001 where Venus withdrew due to injury, leading to accusations of a fix, and the subsequent racial abuse Serena and her family faced at the tournament. The paragraph also covers Serena's personal struggles, such as the murder of her half-sister Yetundi Price, which led to her taking an extended break from tennis and battling depression. Despite these setbacks, Serena's determination saw her return to the sport and achieve further success, including winning more Grand Slam titles and regaining the world number one ranking.

10:03

🔥 Serena's Intensity and Impact on Tennis

This paragraph focuses on Serena's intense competitive nature and its impact on her career and the sport of tennis. It describes a pivotal moment in the 2009 U.S. Open where Serena's frustration led to a controversial incident with a line judge, resulting in penalties and a fine. The incident affected her image within the sport but did not deter her from continuing to excel. Serena's resilience is highlighted as she overcame a life-threatening injury after stepping on broken glass, leading to multiple surgeries and a pulmonary embolism. Her return to tennis saw her win more Grand Slam titles, achieve a 'Serena Slam,' and make a significant social impact by returning to Indian Wells to speak out against racism. The paragraph also mentions her pregnancy and the challenges she faced during childbirth, which brought attention to the healthcare crisis affecting black women in the U.S.

15:04

🌟 Serena Williams: Legacy and Farewell

The final paragraph reflects on Serena Williams' enduring legacy in tennis and her decision to step away from the sport. It discusses her return to Wimbledon as a mother and her continued efforts to compete at the highest level, despite facing tougher challenges and losing multiple Grand Slam finals. The paragraph also recounts the controversial 2018 U.S. Open final against Naomi Osaka, where Serena's confrontation with the umpire overshadowed Osaka's victory. Serena's influence extends beyond the court as a businesswoman, philanthropist, and advocate for social justice. The paragraph concludes with Serena's announcement of her departure from professional tennis in 2022, emphasizing her status as one of the greatest athletes of all time and her lasting impact on the sport.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Serena Williams

Serena Williams is a professional tennis player renowned for her dominance in the sport. She is a central figure in the video, representing resilience, excellence, and overcoming adversity. The script details her numerous achievements, including Grand Slam titles and Olympic medals, and her journey from Compton to becoming one of the greatest athletes in history.

💡Grand Slam

A Grand Slam in tennis refers to the four most prestigious annual tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The video emphasizes Serena Williams' 23 Grand Slam singles titles, showcasing her extraordinary success and skill in the sport.

💡Olympic gold medals

The term 'Olympic gold medals' highlights Serena Williams' achievements beyond the tennis circuit, indicating her success at the Olympic Games. The script mentions her winning four such medals, which is a testament to her athletic prowess on an international stage.

💡World number one

Being 'world number one' signifies that a tennis player holds the top ranking in their respective category. Serena Williams held this prestigious position for 319 weeks, as mentioned in the script, reflecting her consistent high performance and dominance in women's tennis.

💡Prize money

Prize money in tennis is awarded to players based on their performance in tournaments. Serena Williams has earned over 93 million dollars in prize money, as stated in the script, which underscores her success and the financial rewards of being a top athlete.

💡Chronic injuries

Chronic injuries are ongoing health issues that can affect an athlete's performance and career. The script discusses how Serena Williams had to overcome such injuries, which is a significant part of her narrative of resilience and determination.

💡Racism

Racism is a recurring theme in the video, highlighting the discrimination Serena Williams faced throughout her career. The script recounts instances of racial slurs and prejudice from fans and the tennis establishment, illustrating the challenges she overcame beyond the court.

💡Aggressive play style

The term 'aggressive play style' describes a forceful and assertive approach to tennis, which Serena Williams and her sister Venus introduced to the sport. The script notes the resistance they faced due to this new style, which eventually became a dominant strategy in women's tennis.

💡Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that Serena Williams openly discussed in the script, particularly in relation to the murder of her sister Yetunde Price. It humanizes her and adds depth to the video's portrayal of her struggles and recovery.

💡Philanthropist

As a philanthropist, Serena Williams is known for her charitable work, which includes funding schools and providing scholarships, as mentioned in the script. This aspect of her life shows her commitment to giving back to the community and making a positive impact beyond her professional achievements.

💡Business mogul

The term 'business mogul' refers to someone who has achieved success in business ventures. Serena Williams is described as having her own fashion line and being a venture capitalist, indicating her entrepreneurial spirit and diversification beyond her tennis career.

💡Greatest of all time (GOAT)

The acronym 'GOAT' stands for 'Greatest of All Time,' a title often debated in sports. The script discusses Serena Williams' pursuit of this title, particularly in relation to her Grand Slam record and her overall impact on tennis, making it a central concept in evaluating her legacy.

Highlights

Serena Williams is the most decorated tennis player and one of the greatest athletes ever, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 doubles titles, four Olympic gold medals, and over $93 million in prize money.

Serena had to overcome chronic injuries, life-threatening illnesses, personal tragedy, relentless pressure, and racism throughout her career.

At 39, Serena was still the most feared player in women's tennis, 25 years after turning pro and 21 years after her first major win.

Serena and her sister Venus were trained by their father Richard on public courts in Compton from the age of four.

The Williams sisters revolutionized women's tennis with their powerful style, forcing the rest of the tour to adapt.

Serena's dominance in tennis is attributed to her powerful ground strokes, serve, athleticism, and intense mental strength.

Serena won her first major at 17, and her rivalry with sister Venus was intense, though they never played their best against each other.

The sisters faced resistance and accusations of match-fixing due to their success and unique style in a traditionally white sport.

Serena and Venus boycotted Indian Wells for 14 years following racial abuse they experienced there in 2001.

Serena's career was interrupted by multiple injuries and personal loss, including the murder of her half-sister Yetunde Price.

Serena's 2003 Serena Slam was a remarkable achievement, winning all four majors in a row, often against Venus in the finals.

Serena's 2009 U.S. Open incident with a line judge led to a record fine and probation but did not deter her winning streak.

Serena's return to tennis after a life-threatening injury and surgeries showcased her resilience and dedication.

Serena's 2015 return to Indian Wells was a stand against racism and supported the Equal Justice Initiative.

Serena's 2017 Australian Open win was historic, as she was eight weeks pregnant during the tournament.

Serena's difficult childbirth and subsequent health complications highlighted the crisis of maternal mortality among black women in the U.S.

Despite setbacks, Serena returned to the tour and reached a Wimbledon final, showing her enduring competitiveness.

Serena's 2018 U.S. Open controversy with the umpire overshadowed Naomi Osaka's victory and sparked debate on fairness.

Serena's impact on and off the court as a businesswoman, philanthropist, and advocate for racial equality is significant.

Serena's legacy in tennis is immense, influencing the next generation of players and changing the sport's landscape.

Serena's decision to step away from tennis in 2022 marks the end of an era but her influence will continue to be felt.

Transcripts

play00:04

if you're a tennis player who would you

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want to be like

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we are like other people to be like me

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[Applause]

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[Music]

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again in history

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[Music]

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she's amassed 23 Grand Slam singles

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titles 16 Grand Slam doubles titles four

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Olympic gold medals 843 match wins 319

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weeks at world number one and over 93

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million dollars in prize money

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the most decorated tennis player and one

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of the greatest athletes ever to walk

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the earth

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to achieve all that she's had to

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overcome chronic injuries

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life-threatening illnesses personal

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tragedy Relentless pressure and racism

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often coded sometimes overt from fans

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and the tennis establishment

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at 39 years old 25 years after she

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turned Pro and 21 years after she won

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her first major she was the most feared

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player in the women's game

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so how did this Compton raise black

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woman become the goat in a historically

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affluent overwhelmingly white sport

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[Music]

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this is the story behind Serena Williams

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[Applause]

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[Music]

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Serena Williams was born in Saginaw

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Michigan to orasin price and Richard

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Williams she had several half-siblings

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from orascenes and Richard's previous

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marriages but only one full sibling her

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older sister Venus

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what do you want to be when you grow up

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tennis player

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I like to be a tennis player

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The Story Goes that Richard Williams

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flipped on the TV one day watched the

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great Romanian player Virginia rosici

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win a tournament and decided right there

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and then that his daughters would be pro

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tennis players I had watched the tennis

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match on TV

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and it was giving this young lady forty

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thousand dollars because she won the

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tournament

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and I figured since I worked for 52 000

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all year

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and this girl make forty thousand

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dollars in four days I knew I was in the

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wrong business

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he moved the family from Long Beach to

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Compton California where he homeschooled

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the girls and began to train them on

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Rough and Tumble public courts in gang

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territory with shopping carts full of

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used balls from the time they were four

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years old

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that was part of his plan to mold his

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daughters not only to be great tennis

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players but into tough strong-minded

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Fearless competitors

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that's great

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when Serena was 9 and Venus 10 the

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family moved to Florida to attend a

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prestigious Tennis Academy and begin

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competing in junior tournaments

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four years later Richard pulled the

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girls out of the academy and began

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coaching them himself they each turned

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pro at 14. Venus in 1994 and Serena in

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95.

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before the Williams sisters showed up

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the women's game was predicated more on

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touch finesse and consistency rather

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than raw power

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but once Venus and Serena brought their

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ball bashing baselining to the WTA the

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rest of the tour had to adapt

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[Music]

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once Serena became a permanent fixture

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on tour she overwhelmed her opponents

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with her thundering ground strokes her

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masterful manipulation of angles her

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foot speed her athleticism and her serve

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which was a weapon unlike any women's

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tennis had ever seen

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foreign

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but her greatness wasn't just about

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skill it was about her smoldering

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intensity her unshakable will her

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refusal to tolerate or even contemplate

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the notion of defeat

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she won her first major two weeks before

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her 18th birthday beating Martina Hingis

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in the 1999 U.S Open final

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[Applause]

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while Venus was the first of the sisters

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to reach world number one and won five

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of their first six head-to-heads it

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wasn't long before Serena began to

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separate herself she'd later say that

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the turning point in their on-court

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rivalry came when she stopped looking at

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Venus during their matches because

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seeing her sisters disappointed face

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made it impossible to try her hardest to

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win

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together they formed an unbeatable

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tandem that racked up countless doubles

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titles but there are singles matches

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against each other was tense and

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uncomfortable for reasons that should be

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obvious they never played as well or

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competed as fiercely against one another

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as they did against everybody else

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[Music]

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in their early years that fueled

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speculation that Richard was rigging the

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outcomes a baseless theory that was

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perpetuated by commentators like John

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Mcenroe and fellow players like Elena

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dementieva

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even as the Williams sisters raised the

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sports profile and brought it to a

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completely new audience their Ascent

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wasn't exactly greeted with open arms by

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the tennis world of the 90s

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there was resistance to their aggressive

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play style their physical stature the

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loudness of their games and their

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outfits even their braided and beaded

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hair

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well you can hear them and you can you

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can see them a little bit I mean you

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know fortunately you know you learn to

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play the ball but I'm not going to say

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it was a total distraction but it is a

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little Annoying maybe no I shouldn't

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have to change for any other

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circumstance I like my hair it's just

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things flying in the air that you're not

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supposed to be seeing

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all of this reached a boiling point in

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2001 at Indian Wells Venus and Serena

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rolled through their draws to set up a

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hotly anticipated semi-final but just

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minutes before they were set to take the

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court Venus pulled out with a knee

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injury enraging the fans in attendance

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and setting off the accusations of a

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Williams family fix

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when Venus and Richard showed up to

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watch Serena play Kim klysters in the

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final the next day they were greeted

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with a chorus of booze that Richard

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claimed were peppered with racial slows

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foreign

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American crowd booing an American family

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[Applause]

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and you have to say that it does smack

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of a little bit of racism

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Serena just 19 at the time walked onto

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the court not knowing why the fans were

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seething why their booze turned into

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cheers anytime she double faulted or

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committed an unforced error

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or why when she beat clusters and went

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to hug her sister and father in the

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crowd the booze rained down louder than

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ever

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she would later say that she too heard

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racial slurs that day

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the sisters boycotted the tournament for

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the next 14 years

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at every other tournament they continued

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to dominate later that year they met in

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the U.S Open final with Venus prevailing

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then between 2002 and 2003 Serena went

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on a all-time tear that saw her win all

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four majors in a row completing what

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came to be called the Serena slam all

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four times it was Venus she beat in the

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final

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[Music]

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foreign

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but just six months later Venus and

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Serena's oldest half-sister yatundi

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price was killed in a shooting in

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Compton

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the sisters had all been extremely close

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and utindi had been a part of Venus and

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Serena's traveling team on the tour for

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a Time

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she was working as a nurse at the time

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she was murdered and had three children

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[Music]

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Serena sat out eight months and returned

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to match play in 2004. as she sought out

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to regain her world meeting form her

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progress kept getting interrupted by

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injuries to her knee ankle abdomen rib

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groin shoulder knee again ankle again

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she pursued off-court interests and

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became an increasingly inconsistent

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presence in the game

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some began to question her desire after

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the run in 2002 and 2003 in which she

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won five slams in a 13-month period she

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won just one over the next four years

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that included a six-month stretch in

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2006 when Serena stepped away from

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tennis entirely she told reporter she

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was dealing with an injury but later she

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revealed that she was actually suffering

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from depression stemming from utility's

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murder her ranking fell to 140th in the

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world

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[Music]

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according to Serena it was a chance

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encounter with a starry-eyed young fan

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that finally motivated her to reassert

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herself as the best player in the sport

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though she started the 2007 season out

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of shape and unseated at the Australian

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Open she scrapped her way to the finals

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where she demolished Maria Sharapova

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6162 yeah

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the fairy tile comeback is complete

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Serena Williams for the third time is

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the champion in Melbourne

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and most of all I would like to dedicate

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this win to my sister who's not here her

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name is yatundi

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and I just love her so much

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[Applause]

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a couple days ago I said if I win this

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it's gonna be for her so thanks trendy

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it was the second of 19 straight wins

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she'd record against Sharapova over the

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next 13 years turning an opponent many

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tried to build as a rival into a hapless

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punching bag

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2008 brought another slam title and a

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return to world number one

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2009 brought two more slams though it's

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likely remembered better for featuring

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one of the ugliest incidents of Serena's

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Career One in which her famed intensity

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got the better of her

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in the U.S open semi-final against

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clysters Serena was down a set serving

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to stay in the match trailing 15-30 she

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was called for a questionable footballs

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on a second serve which brought up match

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point incensed at the timing of the call

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for a selectively enforced rule Serena

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approached the Lions woman who had made

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the ruling and said I swear to God I

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will take this ball and shove it

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down your throat foreign

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[Applause]

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[Music]

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Serena who'd received a warning for

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smashing a racket earlier in the match

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was given a point penalty which ended

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the match she was hit with a record fine

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and placed on two years probation by the

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Grand Slam committee

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the incident colored the perception of

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her within the sport for years

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thereafter

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Serena issued a public apology then put

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her head down and kept winning she took

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home another two major titles in 2010

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but in July of that year just four days

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after winning Wimbledon for a fourth

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time she stepped on broken glass in a

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restaurant while wearing sandals and

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lacerated a tendon in her right foot in

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the course of two surgeries that

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followed she developed a

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life-threatening pulmonary embolism a

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blood clot in the lungs for which she

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had to undergo emergency treatment

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at the time she'd won 13 Grand Slams she

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was 30 years old no one would have

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blamed her for hanging up her racket

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right then after all Steffi Graf the

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consensus goat before Serena came around

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had retired at the same age

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I wouldn't push the retirement button

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yet because I think this girl has proved

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over and over when you counter up here

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She is again and she shows up and wins

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not only big tournaments at Grand Slam

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Serena decided to press on she refocused

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put more work into her body hired

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Patrick morato as her coach and produced

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a second act that's arguably been even

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more impressive than the first

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since then she's won another 10 slams

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which is more than all but five women

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have won in their careers in 2013 she

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retook the world number one ranking for

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a sixth time becoming the oldest woman

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in the open era to claim it she then

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proceeded to hold the top spot for 186

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consecutive weeks tying the record graph

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had set 25 years earlier

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in 2015 she won the year's first three

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Majors which following her 2014 US Open

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title completed her second Serena slam

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more than 12 years after the first one

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and also we can now mention the s word

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the Serena slam it's happened

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[Applause]

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four days after winning the Australian

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to claim the second of those four

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straight Majors she announced that she

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would return at long last to Indian

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Wells she said she came to the decision

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in the wake of Michael Brown's death at

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the hands of police in Ferguson Missouri

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and saw it as a chance to speak out

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Against Racism

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as part of her much publicized return

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she partnered with the Equal justice

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initiative and raised two hundred

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thousand dollars

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in her first match Serena walked out to

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a decidedly different reception

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ladies and Gentlemen please welcome

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[Applause]

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Menards

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later that year at the U.S Open Serena

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had a chance to both complete her first

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calendar Slam by winning all four majors

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in the same year and to tie Graf's

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open-air record with her 20 second slam

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title but suffered the most stunning

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defeat of her career in the semi-finals

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against aging double specialist Roberta

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Vinci Serena took the rest of the year

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off then as she always does she bounced

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back she equaled Graf's Mark by winning

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Wimbledon in 2016 and finally at the

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2017 Aussie opened more than 17 years

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after winning her first major she

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claimed her record setting 23rd and as

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it turns out she won that tournament

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while she was eight weeks pregnant

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it was the last match Serena would play

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for over a year she announced her

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pregnancy shortly thereafter and gave

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birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia

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Ohanian Junior in September

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the delivery was anything but smooth an

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emergency C-section led to a series of

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harrowing complications another

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pulmonary embolism a hematoma in her

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stomach and later hemorrhaging at the

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site of the C-section five surgeries

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ensued

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Serena later revealed that the doctors

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at the hospital initially disregarded

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her when she told them what was

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happening and her outspokenness about

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the ordeal brought the attention to an

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underreported crisis in the American

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Health Care system which is that black

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women in the U.S are three to four times

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more likely than white women to die of

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pregnancy or childbirth related causes

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Serena spent weeks in bed recovering

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during which she described suffering

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from postpartum depression in time

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though she was able to turn her Focus

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back to her career and return to the

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tour

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[Music]

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in just her second Grand Slam as a

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mother she made the Wimbledon final it

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was a sign of things to come an

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indication that she could still very

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much contend but that the going was

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getting tougher she since lost three

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more slam finals to three separate

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opponents and hasn't won a set in any of

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them

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the most acrimonious of those finals

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came at the US Open in 2018 against

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Naomi Osaka trailing in the match Serena

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received a code violation when chair

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umpire Carlos Ramos noticed morotaglu

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making a hand gesture that he

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interpreted as illegal coaching from her

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box

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telling me to come

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up we don't have any code and I know you

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don't know that and I understand why you

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may have thought that was coaching but

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I'm telling you it's not I don't cheat

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to win I'd rather lose I'm just letting

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you know there's a coaching violation I

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guess it was a thumbs up and Serena is

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setting him straight he issued her a

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second code violation when she smashed

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her racket several games later which

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resulted in a automatic point penalty

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when she confronted him about the calls

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he gave her a third violation this one

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for verbal abuse which cost her a whole

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game one game later she lost the match

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the aftermath was an ugly scene in which

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the pro Serena crowd drowned out the

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trophy ceremonies with booze while a 20

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year old Osaka after decisively

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outplaying Serena to win her first Grand

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Slam pulled her visor over her eyes and

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saw

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[Applause]

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blamed Ramos for overstepping some

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blamed Serena for inciting the crowd

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with her reaction some did well this

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foreign

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look Serena isn't above criticism she's

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human she's imperfect and she's never

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tried to hide it but because of what

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she's come to mean not just to her sport

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but to the world it often feels like

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she's expected to be more than that but

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at the end of the day Serena's imprint

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on women's tennis dwarfs that of anyone

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aside from maybe Billie Jean King her

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popularity took the sport to new heights

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and her power forever changed the way

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it's played the players who are rising

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up in today's game are players she

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helped to inspire to take up the sport

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in the first place

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well it was always my dream to play

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Serena in the US Open finals so I'm

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really glad that I was able to do that

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and I'm really grateful I was able to

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play with you thank you

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this wasn't the only time I visualized

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playing in the finals actually against

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Serena Williams I think it's so crazy

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man I've been

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I've been dreaming of this moment

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for the longest time

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her impact also extends beyond the court

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Serena is a global icon a business Mogul

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with her own fashion line and a

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philanthropist whose charity Foundation

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has funded the construction of schools

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in Kenya and Jamaica and University

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scholarships for underprivileged

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students in the U.S in 2016 she and

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Venus founded the utility price Resource

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Center in Compton a community center

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that provides support services to

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families affected by violence

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she's also a pretty attentive working

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mom if you haven't noticed

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[Music]

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at this point the loan marker that can

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conceivably be held against Serena as

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the greatest of all time is that

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Margaret Court won 24 Grand Slams

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compared to her 23. but court won more

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than half of her Majors during an era in

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which only amateurs were allowed to

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compete at them back when the draws ran

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just 32 players deep

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still the chase for Court's record has

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become a capital T thing not just for

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fans or the media but to Serena

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personally if for no other reason then

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she is a born striver

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in August of 2022 Serena announced that

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she was evolving away from tennis in

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hopes of working with her own Venture

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Capital firm and spending more time with

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her family and while she's probably

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stepping away from the sport following

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what may be a fitting Final Chapter at

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the 2022 U.S open the same place she

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started her highly decorated career all

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the way back in 1999 there is no

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question the massive imprint she leaves

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behind as the Sport's most prevailing

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champion and one of the greatest

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athletes of all time

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if you're a tennis player who would you

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want to be like

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we are like other people to be like me

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thanks for watching if you like this

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video and want to see more content like

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this hit that subscribe button

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[Music]

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Serena WilliamsTennis LegendGrand SlamsCareer HighlightsOvercoming AdversitySports HistoryChampion MindsetFemale AthleteInspirational StoryTennis Records
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