Black Tennis Pros

I woke up Wednesday morning at 3 a.m. to watch history. I was thinking: How am I going to see the inauguration, I am all the way in Australia? But I knew that I wanted to see history. And I did. Wow! All the people there standing there to watch President-elect Barack Obama become president was simply breathtaking. All these people bringing their little kids to see something they won't remember, but yet having the ability to say they were there. I was not there, but I felt and saw every moment.

Being here in Australia for the Aussie Open is the only reason why I was not there. Tennis makes the athletes travel so much. We travel 11 months out of the year on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, but I get such a rush and such a joy out of traveling to six continents while doing something I love — playing tennis.

My first-round match here was one I will remember. I was told it was over 115 degrees on the court. It was so hot that I forced my breathing to become shallow, to not over-extend too much energy gasping for air. My throat was clogged with dryness. I was desperate for water before the allotted two-game break and remember telling myself, "Serena, after this point you get some water." Indeed I did get water only to restart in the dry, excruciating heat.

I looked over at my opponent (Yuan Meng of China) while on the changeover to see how she was handling it, and she seemed to have succumbed to the heat. She was bent over with her head between her knees trying to keep cool. Finally after an hour and 20 minutes it was over. I won, but you did not see the usual Serena Williams after-match celebration. Just the Serena "happy to have won" and even happier to run out of the heat. What was even more interesting is that not 20 minutes after my match was finished the temperature dropped 20 degrees. Can you believe it? I always say if it weren't for bad luck I would not have any luck at all! LOL. I like to believe that someone or something wants me to be ready for the long haul. Hmmm.

You may have noticed American James Blake out of his Nike duds and into Fila clothing during the Australian Open, well it's because sportswear brand Fila has signed the tennis star to develop a collection of men's apparel and footwear, the company has announced.

Fila said Blake would collaborate with its design team to create a co-branded collection which would form the basis for the development of a long-term licensing business for Blake.

The collection, yet to be named, will encompass tennis, golf, fitness and lifestyle apparel, plus footwear and accessories for men. Other product categories will also be explored "as opportunities arise", Fila said.

The collection will be launched with a limited range of tennis and fitness apparel just before the U.S. Open in New York later this year, before its full launch for the spring/summer 2010 season.

Blake will also wear Fila-branded or co-branded apparel and footwear exclusively on court, and will be featured in the company's global marketing efforts.

He has been wearing Fila's Collezione Apparel Collection and the Fila Alfa shoe at the Australian Open.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with an athlete of James Blake's calibre," said Gene Yoon, chairman of Fila.

"We are certain that through our collaboration with James, we will create a range of products that combines the rich style of our historic brand and James' active and sophisticated lifestyle."

NEW YORK, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- MISSION Skincare(TM), the first and only line of athlete-engineered skincare(TM) products, is pleased to announce that tennis superstar, Serena Williams, has joined the rank of some of the world's most-esteemed athletes as a Co-Founder of the brand. MISSION Skincare(TM) products are designed and tested by elite athletes in all areas of sport to help them and active consumers everywhere prepare, perform and recover in training, competition as well as in everyday activities.

MISSION Skincare(TM) is the brainchild of entrepreneur Josh Shaw, who founded the company in 2007 after meeting ultra-endurance runner Charlie Engle and hearing firsthand of the void in the marketplace for effective, functional and innovative skincare solutions. Serena Williams will join an impressive list of co-founders that includes 2-time league MVP Steve Nash, 2-time gold medal soccer player Mia Hamm and basketball phenom Carmelo Anthony among others. In addition to working closely with athletes in product innovation, MISSION Skincare(TM) proudly supports the charities of its partners and athletes.

"I'm excited to join MISSION as Co-Founder and partner. I've always been disappointed with the lack of skincare products that can keep up with the demands athletes place on their skin. When I learned about MISSION and their focus on innovative skincare solutions for everyone with an active lifestyle, I knew I could have an impact on the company!" said Serena Williams.

"Serena is the definition of MISSION. Her high performance lifestyle on and off the court, coupled with her sincere passion for giving back, makes her the ultimate MISSION partner. I'm honored to have her on board with us as we change the face of skincare as we know it today," said Josh Shaw, Founder and CMO.

The deal was negotiated by Serena's agent, Jill Smoller of William Morris Agency, and Serena's attorney, Keven Davis, ESQ. of Garvey Schubert and Barer.

During the second round of their Australian Open doubles match, American sisters Venus and Serena Williams got a little more than they bargained for. During one of the changeovers, a "gentleman" clothed only in a t-shirt streaked out onto the court and danced around for roughly a minute much to the hilarity of Venus Williams. The surprised look on her face followed by laughter was priceless. Serena gave the guy the side eye and occasionally peeked at him.

Continuing to laugh at what she had seen, Serena said in an interview, "I just thought, my eyes, my innocent eyes."

"First, I saw him jump over and then I noticed he didn't have underwear on," Williams said after her third-round singles victory over China's Peng Shuai. "I thought, 'OK, I must be seeing things.'

"He ran out on the court. I was thinking, 'I hope he doesn't come,' because he was pretty close to me and V. I was like, 'I hope he doesn't come, he's too close.' Then I thought, 'This is crazy.' Doesn't really happen too much."

American Serena Williams still doesn't feel like she's at her "A game," but she's certainly bringing more than her opponents can handle. Serena took out China's Peng Shuai 6-1, 6-4.


Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga continued to over power his opponents. Tsonga knocked out Israeli Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1.


American James Blake played a great match against Russia's Igor Andreev. Blake was a man on a mission and defeated Andreev 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1


Frenchman Gael Monfils was a bit more of his acrobatic self in his match against Spain's Nicolas Almagro. There was a lot of drama in this match, Almagros was not satisfied with a number of the calls. At one point Monfils sat down while waiting for Almagros to hash it out with the officials. Unfortunately all of that griping did not help Almagros' cause, he was defeated 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.

Time Magazine has posted some behind the scenes candids that photographer Callie Shell took prior to the inauguration. This photo in particular caught my attention and the lyrics to Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time" came to mind. I'd thought I'd share them here.