Black Tennis Pros

2020 US Open Champion Naomi Osaka  (Photo AP: Frank Franklin II)

2020 US Open Champion, 22-year-old Japanese-Haitian Naomi Osaka, refused to allow the loss of the first set to her 31 year old opponent Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, to cost her the 2020 title. Battling in the first set as if it were under a time constraint, Osaka reset her mentality.  She stated, "For me I just thought it would be very embarrassing to lose this in under an hour and I just have to try as hard as I can and stop having a really bad attitude."

The eventual win over Azarenka of 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, displayed every ounce of confidence that Osaka possessed and utilized as she gradually restructured her gameplay and turned the tables on Azarenka. "I feel like two years ago I maybe would have folded being down a set and a break. But I think all the matches that I played in between that time shaped me and made me or forced me to mature more. Especially all the matches that I've played here were very tough.

 

"So, yeah, I think definitely I'm more of a complete player now. I just have to try as hard as I can and stop having a really bad attitude," she said. "I feel like two years ago I maybe would have folded being down a set and a break. But I think all the matches that I played in between that time shaped me and made me or forced me to mature more. Especially all the matches that I've played here were very tough."

 

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🧢 off, @serenawilliams! _ #TeamUSATennis #USOpen

A post shared by USTA (@usta) on Sep 7, 2020 at 12:10pm PDT

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She’s done it! _ #TeamUSATennis #USOpen

A post shared by USTA (@usta) on Sep 7, 2020 at 12:09pm PDT

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2013 U.S. Open Champion Rafa Nadal chalks up his 13th Grand Slam Title

The number two ranked Spaniard added a second grand slam crown this season to his French Open triumph when the top-seeded Serb dumped a forehand into the net, sending Nadal down onto his back before rolling face down and sobbing in joy.

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Serena exiting studio headed to New York's Central Park for photo ops.

Serena relaxing backstage prior to her appearance on the Kelly and Michael show.

Katie Couric visited with Serena backstage.

Serena with Good Morning American's Robin Roberts

Serena with CBS This Morning's Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell

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History in the making as American Serena Williams wins fifth U.S. Open title racking up a massive 17 Grand Slam Titles in total.

New York - Serena Williams is already regarded as one of the greatest women’s players in history, with arguably the greatest serve of all-time to go with a tremendous fight, determination and power ground strokes that few other women can match.


 And on a night where her serve was not at its best, it was her fight and determination that powered her through errors, wind and Victoria Azarenka, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1, in two hours and 45 minutes for her fifth career US Open title and 17th major championship. It is her second Grand Slam title of the year, to go with her French Open crown, and even though she had 16 Slams under her belt coming to New York, this title means just as much as all the others – and makes her season all the better.


“It means a lot to me, this trophy, and every single trophy that I have," she said following her victory. "It makes me feel that I'm still fighting just to be a part of this fabulous sport. I was so focused these two and a half, three weeks really. I have just been so focused and just really kind of crazy where I'm not losing. What's unique is just the fact of finally reaching No. 5 at the Open, so that's pretty cool."


It was the longest US Open women’s final since 1980, and with the win, Serena earned the largest paycheck in women’s tennis history at $3.6 million – $2.6 million for her US Open win and an additional $1 million in bonus prize money for winning the Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge this summer. She also improved her record in Grand Slam finals to an impressive 17-4, her record against Azarenka to 12-3 and put her one Grand Slam title shy of tying Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova’s haul of 18 majors.

“I felt almost disappointed with my year, to be honest," she said. "I won the French Open, but I wasn't happy with my performances in the other two Slams. I definitely feel a lot better with at least a second Grand Slam under my belt this year.”

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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton give 2013 U.S. Open Champion Serena Williams a congratulatory hug.

Sister of the 2013 U.S. Open Champion, and two-time U.S. Open Champion herself, Venus Williams along with Former U.S. President Bill Clinton celebrate Serena's victory.

R&B great Gladys Knight and model Selita Ebanks

Olympic Gold Medalist Allyson Felix

Former American Idol Judge Randy Jackson

Singer Ricky Martin, Serena and her pup "Chip."

Attorney and television talk show host Star Jones.

Family and friends of Serena.

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Sloane Stephens

... New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let’s hear it for New York, New York,
New York

(Sung in my best Alicia Keys voice)

All right, everyone, the 2012 U.S. Open is here! I'll be blogging throughout the tournament, giving you an inside look at what's going on.

It's already been crazy busy.

On Saturday I took part in Arthur Ashe Kids' Day. It was incredible to see the stadium full of happy kids, celebrating the game of tennis. I was so pumped up and knew it was going to be a blast. Mindless Behavior, The Wanted, Carly Rae Jepsen and my girl Rachel Crow treated the kids (and me) to their favorite tunes. The best part of taking part in AAKD was getting a chance to meet my boys from Mindless Behavior. (Check out my photo with 'em at right.)

Full article on ESPNW - click here.

P.S.: Follow me on Twitter: @Sloanetweets

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I don't know about you, but I have totally enjoyed the Olympic tennis tournament. I thought that having the Olympic tournament played at the All-England Club would add a touch of history to an already historic event and it completely lived up to everything I imagined it would be. The crowd was not the usual Wimbledon crowd. There was a bit more chatter between points, that at times gave it more of Flushing Meadows feel. It was with this backdrop that Serena Williams turned in one of the most remarkable performances of her career, and joined Steffi Graf as the only women to win all four grand slam events, and an Olympic gold medal.

 Throughout her career Wimbledon has been known as big sister, Venus', house. Let the record reflect that in the summer of 2012, little sister was holding the key. By winning Wimbledon last month and coming back to the same location to claim gold for the United States, Williams has firmly restored herself at the top player in the women's game again. Some may want to call this a comeback, I prefer to call it a rebirth.

 There's nothing like almost losing something to make you value, and treasure it even more. For Serena Williams it was an injury followed by illness that threatened both life and career. Faced with a simular situation, most of us would evaluate and take inventory of both success and failure. Then there are those glasses that we leave half empty, or would that be half full. No doubt Williams took inventory of her remarkable career and had time to reflect on some of those half full glasses.

 There is an old saying , " If only youth had wisdom." How many times have we seen professional athletes in the latter stages of their careers wishing for the vitality to go along with wisdom and knowledge that had been gathered along the way. At both Wimbledon and the Olympics, Serena Williams summoned the enthusiam of her youth to go with the wisdom of her 30 years and the result was sheer dominance.

Serena Williams triumph over Maria Sharapova lasted 1 hour and 3 minutes, and maybe it's fitting for the sands in the hour glass are now fewer for Williams. She danced on the court after winning the gold medal at the Olympics, and all the while hearing the sound of a ticking clock. Maybe it's that ticking clock that now motivates Serena or could it be her sense of history, or perhaps it's those half full glasses from years gone by. It promises to be vintage Serena, and when it's done all glasses will be empty !!   New York City... You're Next !!!

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The singer will be featured in “Alicia Keys Live! One Night…One Voice… One Life at a Time…” an 8 p.m. ET performance tonight at the Nokia Theater in New York. The show will be recorded and streamed live on Keys official YouTube channel.

In recognition of World AIDS Day (today), Alicia Keys and American Express are bringing fans together for a special charity concert, so fans across the globe can also participate and donate to Keep A Child Alive, of which Keys is co-founder and global ambassador. American Express cardmembers and lucky contest winners from AliciaKeys.com, Facebook and radio will be attending this exclusive live performance where Alicia will share insight into her charitable work and perform some of her greatest hits as well as songs from her new album “The Element of Freedom,” set for a December 15 release.

All ticket proceeds will go to the organization, and you can do the same by visiting www.keepachildalive.com or by texting “ALIVE” to 90999 to give $5.

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