Sports
Michael
North
Michael
North
m.north@umiami.edu
Michael North
Serena Williams: Fashionably confident
Just days before her first match at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, defending champion Serena Williams dealt with more fashion-related topics than questions regarding her day job of tennis.
Williams announced she will be partnering with the Home Shopping Network to launch a line of apparel and accessories on April 30 called Signature Statement.
"Everything will be under $100," said Williams. "My goal is reaching women to help them look gorgeous, while still being affordable."
Clad in a purple dress, the five-time champ and winner of three Sony Ericsson Opens in a row wore her new line of jewelry for all to see. She proudly displayed at least one ring on every finger, numerous necklaces and a few earrings.
Much like a child wearing all of her mother's jewelry at once, Williams sat at a table on media day surrounded by cameras and recorders, and proudly displayed her new fashion line.
"I have never just been a tennis player," said Williams. "Fashion is very important to me."
She almost looked disappointed when a reporter mentioned that one more championship in Key Biscayne would break Steffi Graf's record of five.
"I'm not looking to break Steffi's record, but it would be fun to try," said Williams.
Williams regained interest when a reporter asked about how she balances her tennis with her passion for fashion.
"Playing tournaments is easy," said Williams. "I'm busy doing two photo shoots a day, interviews, going to the gym. It's all really stressful, but it's so much easier just playing the actual tournament."
How easy?
"When I'm way up, I sometimes think about what I'm going to eat after the match," said Williams.
Williams' attitude is a sharp contrast to that of the predominantly Russian competitors seated at the other tables in the room. They weren't wearing purple dresses or enough jewelry to blind a person. Instead, they sat tense, eager to be done with the required question-and-answer hour so they can go practice.
Elena Dementieva was one of those competitors.
"I want to be number one," said the fourth ranked Dementieva. "I don't need anything to motivate me. It's all in my head already."
Even Williams' sister, Venus, seemed more ready than ever to knock her younger sister from her lofty perch.
"I have a great sister on tour, but I want to win," said the elder Williams. "I will be very mad if I don't win."
Serena Williams, no matter the attention, pressure or distractions, always seems at ease.
Answering every question with a joke's-on-my-rivals smile, Williams finally revealed her motivation to win the Sony Ericsson Open.
"Miami is my home," said Williams. "I have so many friends and family members, but some can't come in the beginning of the tournament because there are not enough tickets to go around. I have to be around in the end so they can all watch me play."
And there it is. Williams plays for the attention. Championships and records are great, but for Williams, she just wants to be watched by others.
"What keeps me motivated is walking out on that court with the atmosphere," said Williams. "I get so excited about people coming to see me play."
Other tennis players slink away from the spotlight. Some of Williams' rivals spoke in a barely audible whisper during media hour. They are business-like in their demeanor. Serena Williams' business is fashion and her diversion is tennis.
No one scares her at this tournament. She would not be pushing her clothing line if she felt unsure of certain victory. Williams throttled number two Dinara Safina at the Australian Open 6-0, 6-3 and everyone knows the competition here is for second place.
Sure, Williams said all the right things: "The field here is great."
But even that was said with the same wry smile.
UPI
Editorial
noreply@upiu.com
Michael North
12/31/1969
Serena Williams: Fashionably confident
Just days before her first match at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, defending champion Serena Williams dealt with more fashion-related topics than questions regarding her day job of tennis.
Williams announced she will be partnering with the Home Shopping Network to launch a line of apparel and accessories on April 30 called Signature Statement.
"Everything will be under $100," said Williams. "My goal is reaching women to help them look gorgeous, while still being affordable."
Clad in a purple dress, the five-time champ and winner of three Sony Ericsson Opens in a row wore her new line of jewelry for all to see. She proudly displayed at least one ring on every finger, numerous necklaces and a few earrings.
Much like a child wearing all of her mother's jewelry at once, Williams sat at a table on media day surrounded by cameras and recorders, and proudly displayed her new fashion line.
"I have never just been a tennis player," said Williams. "Fashion is very important to me."
She almost looked disappointed when a reporter mentioned that one more championship in Key Biscayne would break Steffi Graf's record of five.
"I'm not looking to break Steffi's record, but it would be fun to try," said Williams.
Williams regained interest when a reporter asked about how she balances her tennis with her passion for fashion.
"Playing tournaments is easy," said Williams. "I'm busy doing two photo shoots a day, interviews, going to the gym. It's all really stressful, but it's so much easier just playing the actual tournament."
How easy?
"When I'm way up, I sometimes think about what I'm going to eat after the match," said Williams.
Williams' attitude is a sharp contrast to that of the predominantly Russian competitors seated at the other tables in the room. They weren't wearing purple dresses or enough jewelry to blind a person. Instead, they sat tense, eager to be done with the required question-and-answer hour so they can go practice.
Elena Dementieva was one of those competitors.
"I want to be number one," said the fourth ranked Dementieva. "I don't need anything to motivate me. It's all in my head already."
Even Williams' sister, Venus, seemed more ready than ever to knock her younger sister from her lofty perch.
"I have a great sister on tour, but I want to win," said the elder Williams. "I will be very mad if I don't win."
Serena Williams, no matter the attention, pressure or distractions, always seems at ease.
Answering every question with a joke's-on-my-rivals smile, Williams finally revealed her motivation to win the Sony Ericsson Open.
"Miami is my home," said Williams. "I have so many friends and family members, but some can't come in the beginning of the tournament because there are not enough tickets to go around. I have to be around in the end so they can all watch me play."
And there it is. Williams plays for the attention. Championships and records are great, but for Williams, she just wants to be watched by others.
"What keeps me motivated is walking out on that court with the atmosphere," said Williams. "I get so excited about people coming to see me play."
Other tennis players slink away from the spotlight. Some of Williams' rivals spoke in a barely audible whisper during media hour. They are business-like in their demeanor. Serena Williams' business is fashion and her diversion is tennis.
No one scares her at this tournament. She would not be pushing her clothing line if she felt unsure of certain victory. Williams throttled number two Dinara Safina at the Australian Open 6-0, 6-3 and everyone knows the competition here is for second place.
Sure, Williams said all the right things: "The field here is great."
But even that was said with the same wry smile.
2009-03-31 12:10:24 UTC
2010-03-10 19:48:01 UTC