Sports Illustrated’s S.I. Price says Williams earned the distinction after winning 53 of 56 matches this year.
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Growing up, Williams had devoured every Harry Potter book, marveled at the business empires of Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart.
There’s no question that it was a stellar year for legendary tennis phenom Serena Williams.
Serena has accomplished so much from slams to gold medals, and now she has yet another well-deserved accomplishment to take with her when she leaves the game. She’s now ranked one of the best tennis players in the world, she’s the second-highest paid woman athlete on the planet and she rode into the U.S. Open this summer on a high after a series of major wins. She was by far the most succesfull and dominant player in women’s tennis this year. She is one slam away from tying Steffi Graf, and I truly believe this year she will pass Graf and then will be the greatest player of all time.
“2016? #letsdoit”, she wrote on her Instagram account while unveiling the magazine cover. “This is not just an accomplishment for me, but for my whole team, I am beyond honoured”. This is the first time in thirty years that a female athlete has received this award by the magazine on their own. I am beyond honored. From red carpets rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s elite, to President Obama saying he watches her, to J.K. Rowling coming to her defense, she has had a star worthy year all around.
“I am disappointed to announce Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion American Pharoah” – yes, that’s “pharaoh” with an “oa” – “has not been named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year Award for 2015”.
Some critics are upset that Williams won the title over American Pharoah, the horse that clinched the Triple Crown.
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Serena joins an elite group to have won the award, including Muhammad Ali (1974), Arthur Ashe (1992), LeBron James (2012), Michael Jordan (1991), Billie Jean King (1972), Joe Montana (1990) and Jack Nicklaus (1978).
