PBS News Hour’s Amna Nawaz spoke with William C. Rhoden, an award-winning sports activities columnist, about Serena Williams on Monday because the tennis celebrity competed in her ultimate grand slam on the U.S. Open.
“We’re speaking about Serena’s subsequent chapter. As a result of this essay, she wrote in Vogue, but she didn’t say retirement. She said transition. She mentioned evolution. What does that imply to you? And what did you suppose whilst you read it?” asked Nawaz to kick off the discussion.
“Well, the first thing that obtained me used to be when she mentioned that, the ‘R’ word, because that terrifies me, too. That’s the article that resonated with me,” Rhoden responded, adding:
Simply the speculation of not doing one thing that you simply’ve been doing, in my case due to the fact I was like ten years old. And the speculation of now not retiring and I know how terrifying it has to be for her to be eight years previous, to come from Compton, to turn out to be what I think, alongside along with her sister, I’ve been doing this now 49 years.
And I think without doubt the story of Venus and Serena Williams almost definitely is the best sport story in the US history, bar none.
“What she finished for women, for black women, for equity, I feel at this level of our history is unparalleled,” he endured.
“I feel it’s simply we’re on the point now that is nonetheless fresh in phrases, even supposing we’re all wordsmiths. Phrases can’t in reality describe the affect that she has had at so many ranges, you already know, to consider, , my Black mom, my, my Black sister, my, my, my Black daughter and what she’s supposed for them with regards to empowerment, with regards to confidence and in relation to victory,” Rhoden added.
“, it’s just simply it’s just such blended thoughts, because I hate to see her go. I hate to see her go. However I’m so interested by these subsequent chapters,” he concluded.
“Invoice she’s one Grand Slam title short of beating the file. Margaret Court’s record of 24. Do you suppose there’s any probability she ties that or breaks that sooner than she says goodbye to the sport?” Nawaz then requested.
“As shall we identify this journalist? The good attain right here for the story. Right,” Rhoden spoke back, laughing.
“The nice, the nice story is that she finds one more magical second at the U.S. Open and we find her enjoying Saturday. I imply, what better? What higher approach to go out than to win two-time Margaret Court at the U.S. Open? I imply, that may just be unbelievable. Like now I’m pondering as a journalist after which also with my coronary heart. But that would be that will be but any other film,” he concluded.
Watch the whole clip above via the PBS News Hour
The submit ‘Bar None’: Venus and Serena Williams Symbolize ‘Best Game Story in U.S. Historical past,’ Argues Veteran Journalist first appeared on Mediaite.