Serena Williams, after nearly a year of crazy bad luck induced injuries, won her first round match on Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Tuesday. She had to fight for it, too, against the dangerous Aravane Rezai: 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
This is the moment of Wimbledon Day 2 - perhaps the entire tournament.
Her post match reaction is something to behold. Don’t ever doubt this woman’s love for the game:
Some people may make Serena’s “I love tennis” comment as the statement of the interview. But what struck me was when the tearful, almost bewildered, thirteen-time Major singles champ tried to explain her behavior: “I never cry with joy for anything.” And now she’s crying about beating the 61st-ranked player in the world in the first round.
Do you remember the first time you cried with joy? Perhaps when a loved one got better, or someone important to you got married (or maybe when you got married!), or something truly heart expanding occurred in your life or even world history. It’s a true mark of adulthood, those more-sweet-than-bitter tears. Crying because you’re happy means that you understand real sadness, too.
A bit from her press conference:
SERENA WILLIAMS: So this was probably the most emotional I’ve gotten after a match, after a win. You know, and to be a first round, I never really get super, super excited. But for me it wasn’t about winning the match. It was about being out there. Everyone that has had some troubles, whether it be health, whether it be something else, to realize that you can do it.
You know, you just have faith. If you believe in yourself, you just continue to fight and never give up. I always preach, you know, Never give up, never give up. I finally was in a position that I could have gave up, I couldn’t have came here, I could have sat home and said, I’ve had a fabulous career. I don’t have to work extra, extra hard now.
But it just really goes to show if you don’t give up, you still have a chance.
I don’t know if Serena will win Wimbledon this year, but surely, she’s won some hearts.
A bit better quality video available here.
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