The award presented annually by Sports Illustrated is called “Sportsperson of the Year”, but a sizeable segment of the magazine’s readership apparently is upset by the choice of Serena Williams over American Pharoah.
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Winning three of the four Grand Slams brought Williams to 21 career Grand Slams, just one shy of Graff’s 22. She was by far the most succesfull and dominant player in women’s tennis this year.
It noted that Williams made a powerful statement by returning to play a tournament at Indian Wells for the first time since 2001 when she was jeered by the crowd and, according to her family, suffered racist slurs.
“We are comparing Williams’ accomplishments over the past year to American Pharoah’s in the context of the SI award”, Rodriguez said.
Sports Illustrated offered an explanation, stating that the 34-year-old Serena Williams was recognized for more than just her on-court achievements.
“This year was spectacular for me”, she wrote. However, horse-racing fans are crying foul that Triple Crown-winning thoroughbred American Pharoah was snubbed, despite leading the poll for the award.
I know this is a shocking hot take from me, and one that will make people furious.
Williams also has her own line of clothing and accessories, which she presented on the New York Fashion Week runway this past September.
As the first female athlete to be honored with the title alone since track star Mary Decker in 1983, this honor emboldens Williams to forge ahead toward more impressive endeavors.
Other contenders this year included golf’s Jordan Spieth who won two majors and finished 2nd and 4th in the other two.
Billie Jean King also won the award in 1972.
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Serena Williams told Sports Illustrated’s S.L. Price that returning to Indian Wells this year was the best moment of her tennis career. Sports Illustrated said this was a first in the 40-year history of the WTA rankings. “I am beyond honored”.
