When it comes to taking responsibility for her loses, tennis champ Serena Williams says all fingers point to herself — and no one else.
As you may recall, last year, Williams faced off in the U.S. Open Semifinals against Roberta Vinci, in the hopes of nabbing the 2015 Grand Slam title. However, the highly ranked tennis pro was defeated in just three sets, many hailing it one of the greatest upsets in the sport’s history.
While the upset didn’t prevent Williams from receiving Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year award, social media immediately placed blame on her reported boo thing (at the time), Drake, alleging the Grammy winner had distracted Williams from the title. Meanwhile, Williams recently admitted that’s just not the case.
“I don’t think that was fair,” the 34-year-old said in the July issue of Glamour. “I’m the one who’s playing, who’s making mistakes or making winners. I’m not one to blame anyone else for anything. And I don’t think anyone else should either. I played a really good opponent that day. And I wasn’t at my best.” And while it’s likely Williams’ love life (at the peak of her career) will always be under speculation, the athlete revealed she fiercely guards her personal life for this very reason — and has no intentions of settling down anytime soon.
“Who says that your thirties is when you’re supposed to be done? I would like to know who made that rule! I was talking to my mom one time, like, ‘Gosh, I’m 30.’ And she’s like, ‘In your thirties you’re even stronger than in your twenties.’ I didn’t believe her, but I have played better in my thirties,” she continued. “My consistency is better, my momentum is better, my wins are quicker.”
However, having kids is totally on the table. “I definitely want to have kids one day. That’s something I’ve always wanted since as long as I could remember,” Williams revealed. “The older I get, the more I’m like, ‘I’m too young!'”
In the meantime, the budding fashion designer continues to work hard on her very own clothing line, crediting her mother for teaching her to sew. “My mom taught me how to sew when I was super young; I used to make clothes for my dolls. When I finally went to [fashion design] school [in 1999], I really took to pattern making. Everyone in class was good at something; I was the person, if you need help with your patterns, you come to me and I would help you out,” she explained.
Overall, it appears Williams is taking the criticism in stride. After all, her ability to “turn a cheek,” take responsibility and keep it moving are just a few of the many reasons we admire her. What are your thoughts on Williams running to Drake’s defense — and wanting to start a family? Sound off in the comment section below.
