Serena Williams among world’s 100 most influential people

May 31, 2014

 

Tennis star, Serena Williams, has been named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.

Williams was listed alongside other personalities like the eminent American politician, Hillary Clinton; entrepreneurs, Aliko Dangote and Jef Bezos; and singers, Pharrell Williams and Beyoncé Knowles.

Dwayne Wade, an American professional basketball player, who has won three NBA championships with the Miami Heat, said of Williams, “I first met Serena over a decade ago in Miami when I joined the Heat.

“Since then, I’ve watched her grow and dominate in her sport, overcoming adversity to win title after title. There is no doubt that she has made an incredible impact on the world of tennis, but it’s her determination to never give up that has always resonated with me.

“Serena does not take her abilities for granted. She deserves all of her success, because she is one of the most hardworking and disciplined people I know. She is a world-class athlete and a true champion in every sense of the word. Serena is on a mission — and how amazing that we all get to witness it.”

More about Serena Williams

Serena Williams has been playing tennis since the age of four and has established herself as one of the greatest female players of all time, having racked up 32 major titles in her career.

“I always try to stay positive through the ups and downs and try to keep a smile on my face,” she said of herself.

Despite a number of controversies and injury setbacks, Williams is competing in a number of tournaments this year.

She was born as Serena Jameka Williams on September 26, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, USA to Richard and Oracene Williams. She is the youngest of the couple’s five daughters.

Williams and her elder sister, Venus, have at various times throughout their careers, dominated the sport.

A multi-millionaire star

Serena Williams has an estimated net worth of $90m (N15bn). She has been ranked number one in the world five times and has earned the most prize money of any female athlete ever.

She won Gold Medals at both the Sydney and Beijing Olympics and has continued to be the most feared player in the game of tennis when in full fitness.  Williams’ 13 singles Grand Slam titles put her among the all-time greats.

Ballen Isles property

The most dominating female tennis player in the history of the game, Williams, is the proud owner of a beach home in Ballen Isles. The property was estimated at $2m (N324m) in 2009.

The V-shaped estate is located in the community of Ballen Isles in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The house is located inside the Ballen Isles Country Club, which has recently renovated their 22 tennis courts. So Serena Williams need not practise anywhere else now as she has all the required facilities in her community.

Williams is planning to leave her long-time home in Palm Beach Gardens, according to Gossip Extra.

Palm Beach County records reportedly showed that Williams paid for the property in cash.

The wooded (and hilly, by South Florida standards) property, which is wedged between two holes of the Club’s golf course, is currently vacant.

Williams, who had just been named AP athlete of the year, has been living with her sister, Venus, at Palm Beach Gardens’ BallenIsles since 1998. The sisters even helped build a world-class tennis training centre in the gated community.

While the sisters co-own the Ballen Isles house, Williams is the sole owner of the Bears Club property, which is seven doors from ex-NBA champ, Michael Jordan’s sprawling crib.

Exotic cars

When you’ve got N15bn in your bank, you really need to treat yourself to the good things of life, which explains why Williams is not exempted from the list of celebrities driving rare cars.

The tennis superstar drives around in her flashy Bentley Continental Supersports and a posh Range Rover SUV.