Black Tennis Pros

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

The missing Blackberry really hurt me...

Here's what happened: after Zürich, I went to Paris to relax. As I was leaving the hotel, I decided I wanted to go to go to the Fendi store. I saw some fabulous boots there that I thought would go great in my fall repertoire. Well, I also had to use the bathroom really badly... So the driver dropped me and my friend Paul off at the corner and we walked to the Fendi store. I asked the employee if I could use the bathroom. I went to the bathroom with my purse, then came out and looked at a dress. I never sat my purse down - I just was holding it. Later, I tried on the boots and put my purse down. I liked the boots so I decided to buy them. I picked up my purse and noticed my Blackberry was missing...

So I paid for the boots and then looked for the Blackberry. It was nowhere to be found. I called it and found out that it was turned off. Someone got it and turned it OFF! All of you out there that have Blackberries know that they're not easy to turn off - you have to purposely turn them off, or they will always stay on. Every time I called it I went straight to voicemail. Someone took it out of my purse and turned it off so when I called it I would not hear it ring. Who would do this people? I mean really! It's so upsetting, and I feel as though my privacy has just been violated. I feel raw and alone now that I don't have my BB. My BB is out there, all alone, cold and scared. She had a great life, a warm bed and a wonderful mom that took great care of her. I wish I could just see her one more time. I did not even get chance to say goodbye.

Needless to say I was super depressed, but also fairly calm. I never thought we would part. She's lost forever in Paris :( I still tear up when I think about her. So to make me feel better, Paul kept telling me we will find it, but I wonder if he really believed it himself. Anyways, he promised me and my mom a great dinner! And it would lift my spirits. Dinner definitely lifted my spirits as I love Thai food, and we went to this resturant called "Ginger". What's strange is that for Roland Garros (The French Open) I stay one block from Ginger and I've never been there. Nonetheless, for the first time in my life I had a glass (or two or three) of wine! I hate wine and I never drink wine. But I decided because I was in France I should give it a go. I'm growning up guys! Your lil' Serena is growing up!!

Okay so here's my saying of the day today:

Always stay positive. No matter what you are going through, know that God will never give you more than you can handle.

So no matter what you do, be positive. No matter what you face, look it straight in the eye, no matter how afraid you may be!

Love u!!

Xxx

Serena

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Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams
Zurich Open

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Hey guys,

As I am sure you know I had to withdraw from my match in Zürich. If there is one thing I hate it's giving up or quitting. It is simply not in my vocabulary. So my mom told me I should have stopped after the first set and I could have gotten worse but I felt as though maybe people would think, "She didn't even try."

People who don't know me that well don't realize that I'm a typical Libra and I'm actually quite sensitive. I guess I need to stop thinking about what other people think of me and just do what is best. Well, "What happened?" I'm sure you are asking. I strained my right adductor. If you all followed the Moscow tournament my right leg was strapped because I had some tight muscles. So the doc said that it was me overcompensating for so long that my adductor was doing too much work. Blah blah blah... Injuries are always frustrating for any athlete to deal with.

So with that said, I was really upset because I've always wanted to win Zürich. I made a promise to myself that I was going to play Stuttgart, Moscow and Zürich back at Wimbledon and wanted to do everything to keep that promise. I guess I pushed myself too far. Heck, I had my ticket leaving for next Monday!!!

With that being said I decided not to abandon the blog. I like writing and even if I'm not writing so much about Zürich I can still write about my progress as well as things I am up to. One thing I wanted to talk about on my blog is my 'Saying of the Day' to hopefully help people of all ages out. Today's comes from a special friend that I enjoyed so much I want to share it with you:

Confront your fears and they will disappear. Always remember that bad weather looks worse through a window.

So whatever it is that you want to be or do, don't be afraid to do it or go for it. Sometimes I want to meet new people but I'm afraid they won't like me or they'll think crazy of me. These are my fears... So today and from now on I will try to confront people and talk to them. I'm sure they will find me charming (I hope!)

Let's see... I hope you guys enjoy reading the blog and I will "see" you tomorrow!

xxx

Serena

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Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams
Zurich Open

I felt neither here nor there about American James Blake being ousted in the first round of doubles, I mean that's not his claim to fame. But I am a bit disappointed that he bit the dust in the first round of singles. What tha??? He didn't even seem interested today.

I thought with Blake being only within points of potentially sliding back within range of the top eight for the year-end championships that he'd be hell to beat. Guess I was wrong.

A sixth-seeded Blake was sent packing by Croat Mario Ancic, 6-3, 6-4 on Day 3.

'Nuff said.


Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis James Blake
Mario Ancic ATP Masters Series Madrid

Americans James Blake and Eric Butorac have been defeated in doubles in the first round of the ATP Masters Series in Madrid. The Polish doubles team of Mariuz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski prevailed at 7-5, 6-4.

Blake is still in the main draw awaiting play in the second round as he had a Bye in round 1.

Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis James Blake
ATP Masters Series Madrid Eric Butorac Doubles

Serena Williams retired with a sore right thigh while trailing Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 6-0, 3-0 in the first round of the Zurich Open on Tuesday.

Trailing 3-0 in the first set, Williams had the tape on her right thigh removed. She won only nine points in the set, five on her serve.

The sixth-seeded American was treated again between sets. Winning only one more point, she was broken twice before retiring.

"I was checking out the situation a bit and after the first set I kind of suspected she might retire," Schnyder said. "But then I got kind of nervous because in the second set she really started trying."

Williams, who has qualified for the season-ending WTA Championships, had asked to play Tuesday despite coming off a three-set loss to Elena Dementieva at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Sunday.

"Normally she needs a rest after two weeks of tournaments," Schnyder said. "But I like that she came here and tried."

Source - The Canadian Press

Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams Zurich Open Patty Schnyder

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Monday, October 15, 2007

Hey guys, it's Serena here! Now, as some of you out there may know already, I like to do everything that my sister Venus does. Us lil' sisters are quite the jealous type! Well the point I'm making is that a couple of weeks ago she wrote a blog (which I'm sure you all read with great interest) for our very own Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website, and this week it's my turn! I can't believe they convinced me to do it, but here I am and I would like to share my experiences with all the fans out there.

Well, I'm fresh from my trip to Moscow; can you believe that I'm playing my third event in a row? I can't! I don't think I've ever done that in my career before, but I'm feeling good and determined to make a good run at the end of the year since I hardly played this summer. I had not been to Moscow in 10 years... Can you believe I've been around that long? I can't, I still feel like a teenager... Well, nonetheless, it has been 10 years since the last time I was there - scary. Moscow is an interesting place. I hung out a bit with Kuzzie, saw some interesting things, none of which I can really talk about here, but for sure I had a lot of fun there, played some good matches and picked up some valuable points (yeah!)

For all of those that didn't follow, I got to the finals there and now I'm in Zürich, Switzerland, where the chocolate is oh sooooo good - but shush, don't tell anyone that I ate two today. That's my limit, I swear, otherwise I'll be on the practice court much longer than my hour and 15. I haven't been at the tournament here in probably 10 years as well. I can't wait to make my long awaited return to action. I have been having so much fun playing this fall. My first match is against the tricky but talented Patty Schnyder - make sure you tune into the live scoring!!!

The highlight of the past couple of weeks has been qualifying for Madrid, which we announced today. That's so cool. I feel as though I should be there. Now, with a lil' work and dedication I've made it offically to Madrid. I never would have thought that back in January before I played Australia, and I'm really proud of myself and the strides I've made to get back to this level after two years - no easy feat. I hope my little girls (aka quadrupeds - dogs!), Jackie and Laura, who have been keeping me company, are equally as proud!

P.S. I have also relaunched my website: serenawilliams.com. It's way more slick and up to date compared to the previous incarnation. You guys have to go check it out because it's hilarious. I also write a relationship blog there as well... Where do I get the time?? It's a long story - an important one - but one we will have to talk about!

Well it's late here in Zürich and I would love to write more but I'm a bit tired and I have to play tomorrow. I'm so sleepy, I haven't slept in 36 hours (the life of a jet-setting tennis player is not all it's cracked up to be...)

Good nighzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Xxx

Serena

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Technorati Tags: Sports Tennis Serena Williams Zurich Open Blogging