Hero Of The Week: Serena Williams

Lest you think I'm a bitter person now that I've started my Friday "Douche Bag Of The Week" posts, I am going to counter-balance that with a "Hero Of The Week" post.

This week, Serena Williams showed the true heart of a champion. She's been my favorite tennis player for years — if only she wouldn't blurt her thanks to her "God Jehovah" whenever she gets the microphone tossed in her face when she wins a tournament. Yes, I know she won. Yes, I know that means she's earned the right to say what she wants to the assembled masses. But really. I wonder if her opponents are thanking their God Jehovah because they lost?

After spending a week defending her zaftig form to a crazy tabloid British press, she showed that grit, determination, and skill is what it takes to win. [I have to say that the folks complaining of her curves fitness wouldn't last a set with her.]

In her match against No. 10 Daniela Hantuchova in the fourth round, the match was tied at 5-5 in the second set. A challenging rally resulted in Williams crumpling to the court at the baseline with a cramp in her left calf. The knot was clearly visible on television. At one point, she shrieked in pain while being treated by a trainer on the court.

Williams eventually struggled to stand and didn't even make an effort to play the next game when Hantuchova aced a serve and won another point to go ahead, 6-5. After a change over when she had her calf wrapped, Williams shockingly held serve by firing an ace to force the 6-6 tiebreaker.

The rain, which had been intermittent all day, returned at 4-2 in the tiebreak and the match was stopped. The crowd cheered...a first for breaking rain at Wimbledon! After the two hour delay, Williams came out and played with loose fitting pants that covered both of her calves that were tightly wrapped. She went on to lose the tie break and second set.

But, in true Serena form, she used her determination to fight back behind some very powerful shots and win the third set. She won the match 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-2.

I'm sorry that she lost her next match to Justine Henin aka The Belgian Cheater. I can't stand her and hope Venus gets a chance to wipe Justine's ass all over the grass court.
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