Serena Williams: You Go Girl: Why Chris Evert Is Right On The Mark

...However, being a huge tennis follower, I was intrigued and delighted by the fact that former tennis great, Chris Evert, now the publisher of Tennis Magazine, called out current player, Serena Williams on her lack of commitment to the sport that has allowed her to make millions of dollars and open numerous doors that have, in turn, allowed Williams to pursue various other ventures that have absolutely nothing at all to do with tennis.

Ironically, recently a column titled, “The greatest female athletes of all-time,” one of the things written about Williams, and the reason her sister Venus ranked higher, was the fact that as talented as Williams was, she seemed to take her incredible athletic gifts for granted...

Whatever the case, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Evert’s comments and had to agree with every single point that she made in her public plea to the gifted athlete...
Now, let me say that, this letter from Evert to Williams is, not only dead on, but eloquent as well. Evert didn’t try to force her views on Williams – on anyone else for that matter – she simply stated the truth. To be totally honest, I am absolutely surprised that someone hasn’t said as much to Williams already. Then again, nothing surprises me these days.
I mean, has there ever been a time when so many world class athletes wanted to try their respective hands at something else? Roy Jones wanted to be a basketball player and now Serena wants to become either, the next Donna Karan or Madonna, take your choice. I guess LeBron James will want to try his hand at synchronized swimming next.

All jokes aside, I have to say that every point Evert made in her almost pleading letter, was, once again, right on the mark. It’s probably not even close. Williams is so powerful and athletically gifted, that she could probably beat half of the men who compete on the men’s tour.
Think about it. Has there ever been a female tennis player as athletically gifted as Williams? Unequivocally not! As Evert so poignantly pointed out, it was only a couple of years ago that Williams appeared as if she would shatter every single female tennis record ever. However, as Evert also noted, since that time, Williams has appeared both, uninterested and unprofessional.
Once again, Evert is right on the mark when she says that if Williams were to dedicate herself solely to tennis for the next five years, she could firmly establish herself as the greatest female tennis player of all-time.

At 24 years of age, that would make Williams only 29 if she decided to hang up her racket at that time. If she won two Grand Slam titles per year until that time, Williams would have a staggering total of 17, with a few more years to spare if she wanted.
Now before I close out this column, let me add that it is one thing to be called out on the carpet by some sports writing junkie who has never competed in a professional sporting event in their entire lifetime. However, to be called out by Evert, one of the greatest female tennis players ever, is entirely different.