The 23-time Grand Slam champion fended off competition from the likes of Simone Biles and Lindsay Vonn and in a press release regarding her winning the award, they praised her for having a 'celebrity status that transcended tennis' as the American continues to defy limits to still be at the top of the sport.
“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.”
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