Serena Williams
 

Wow... What an athlete. I've always been a fan but her latest win at the Olympics was just awesome.
Her record speaks for itself.

Is she the best ever woman tennis player? I really think she is.

Serena Williams beats Sharapova for Olympic gold - Olympics - Boston.com

Simply put-Domination!

What an athletic specimen, Sharipove was on her heels trying to return the serves.

The accuracy of ball placement these woman showed was impressive!

Thoroughly enjoyed that, and very proud of Serena!

Not a big fan. I was definitely rooting for Sharapova.

She played really well today, though.

And as for the best ever, she doesn't even approach Graf, IMHO.

Maybe the best man in tennis?

Professionals have no place in the Olympics. Therefore her medals are meaningless. As are the medals of any professional competing against amateurs.

BS. What's the difference if they're paid millions in prize money by professional tour association or paid millions for appearing on a box of Wheaties? The talent, dedication to the sport and years of practice are the same for both.

Used to be pros could not be in the Olympics. Ask Jim Thorpe. A paid pro against an amateur is not fair. If you think differently then your mind works incorrectly. Not that there is anything wrong with that. :)

What do you call the ones from many other countries who are groomed from early childhood by the state? They're given free room, board, education, training, pro facilities and a stipend. Are they really unpaid amateurs? They are every bit as professional and dedicated as our own athletes. It's just that the state is their sponsor. USOC is supported by corp. sponsors, as are the amateur athletes that don't play on a pro team. Many of them still make many millions in endorsements, but are considered "amateurs." Get real.

"Many of them still make many millions in endorsements" - Then they are not amateurs.

It was changed because for many of the sports the "Amateurs" were the real pro's.

Look at skiing. The premier athletes were not on the Pro circuit, they were on the Amateur circuit. To call them amateurs was ridiculous.

No one paid them to ski on a team and there was no prize money. Their endorsement deals were actually more lucrative.

So really they were getting paid but it was legal since they did not profit from the action but as a result of their action.

Well, she? Could easily get a job in the NFL!

It is ridiculous at tennis is in the Olympics in the first place. There is enough amateur and pro tennis exposure already.

She was never my favorite, powerful, but I doubt she's the "best ever". Best ever would open up another entire thread....sort of like the "best guitar player ever". BL: She had a good day.

None of them are. Not one. Do you think any of them have day jobs and just do the sports thing nights and weekends? Michael Phelps was making millions a year before the 2008 games. Should he not be able to swim in the 2012 games because of his endorsements after he got super famous following the Beijing games? How else is he gonna pay the $175k in taxes on his 20 gold medals? There are no part-timers in the Olympics and they have to have plenty of income to support their training and lack of day jobs.

If you want only real amateurs to be allowed to compete, you'd have to scout from high school teams, maybe college. Though I'd consider a $100k worth of athletic scholarships to be plenty of income/sponsorship.

Please tell me this isn't true. Tax on gold medals?

Are you kidding? Cash prize of $25k per gold and the US taxes worldwide income of its citizens. Yes, quite true.

I know the US is farked on so many levels, but this somehow strikes me as unbelievably cynical. Taxing an athlete on their Olymipc medal?

Jesus H. Christ.

"One for you and nineteen for me....."

Serena Williams plays as beautifully as she is striking physically. She is one of a kind.

Serena played very well indeed. She was very sharp today.

I can't help but wonder if she would be even quicker and more dominant around the court if she lost some weight. She's quite chunky, especially her behind.