Category: Tennis

Why I: Love Being Black

On By kassienetteIn Entertainment, Football, Giving back, Heroes, Life, MLB, Music, NBA, NCAA, NFL, North Carolina State University, Olympics, Sports, Tennis, Track and Field, Women in SportsLeave a comment

Say it loud – I’M BLACK and I’M PROUD!!

Other than the phrases, “God is good,”

or

“Pizza is from Heaven”

or

“I have the best family and friends ever,” no truer words have ever been spoken.

Today, is the last day of Black History Month. Today marks the culmination of a push across America to squeeze in as much information into the minds of those who will listen about the contributions of black people in America. While today signifies the end of the collective focus, spanning various races, it does not signify the end of the cycle to educate, highlight and uncover facts that need not be ignored.

But that’s not why I’m here.

I could go on and on about the lack of teaching when it comes to black history.

But that’s not why I’m here.

Continue reading “Why I: Love Being Black” →

Why black women across the world understood Serena’s soliloquy

On By kassienetteIn Controversy, Heroes, Life, Sports, Tennis, Women, Women in SportsLeave a comment

*originally posted on Women AdvaNCe’s website*

As I sat and watched Serena fight back, tears formed in my eyes.

Her words were sharp.

Her eyes were piercing.

Her body language was stern.

She was fed up.

She’d had enough.

She was exhausted.

I’ve only played tennis maybe three times in my life yet I knew exactly what she was going through.

I felt her pain.

I understood her pain.

I knew her pain.

Simply because, I, too, am a black woman.

Continue reading “Why black women across the world understood Serena’s soliloquy” →

Venus: #ClapForHer

On By kassienetteIn Heroes, Tennis, Women in SportsLeave a comment

A few weeks ago, I had an urge to write about one of my favorite athletes – Venus Ebony Starr Williams.

[Source: The Times of India}
I was on vacation but I woke up early that Saturday morning to watch Venus claim
what I just knew was going to be her sixth Wimbledon title. But it was not meant to be. However, my urge to write about Venus was still there.

But then I got back home and life happened, as it always does. A day turned into days and they turned into weeks and then I looked up and it was September.

The great thing about this though is the fact that Venus, as she always has been, is worthy of having this blog post written about her.

Continue reading “Venus: #ClapForHer” →

Venus vs. Serena…again.

On By kassienetteIn Tennis, Uncategorized, Women in Sports, Women's SportsLeave a comment

I was not sure I would ever see this again.

But here we are. Again. Venus vs. Serena playing against each other in a US Open match.

Primetime television at its best.

I was asked this weekend who I thought was the better player. It is easy to say Serena and why would you not pick her? But I stopped to think about it. Venus was dominate early in her career but was plagued by injuries. Serena, not as dominant, has found her stride in her early 30’s and is poised to complete the first calendar slam since 1988. I know the choice is clear but I stopped to examine them for a moment. Both have their strengths. Their serves are second to none. Venus is stronger at the net while Serena knows how to completely smother a second serve. I see more power in Serena while Venus tends to be more precise in her decisions. Both know how to dig deep to pull out a win but it will be interesting to see if Venus holds back simply because of what is at stake.

Either way, I will be watching and pulling for a Williams to win! Tune in at 7:00 and #WitnessGreatness.

 

{Source: Google Images}
{Source: Google Images}

Serena: Recognize Greatness

On By kassienetteIn Heroes, Tennis, Women in SportsLeave a comment

Two words, five syllables…Serena Williams.

I could go in on all the naysayers. I could go in on all the social media trolls who made it a point Saturday to claim Serena had an unfair advantage due to her size. I could go in on all those who refuse to recognize her greatness.

But then I would be stooping to their level and I am already short enough. So I’m going to just leave this here.

{Source: ESPNW}
{Source: ESPNW}

Whether you want to recognize it or not, greatness is here to stay.

Really Serena?

On By kassienetteIn Sports, Tennis, Women's SportsLeave a comment
{Source: Google Images}
{Source: Google Images}

Is anyone paying attention to how Serena Williams is DOMINATING at the U.S. Open?? She avenged her Australian Open loss that occured at the backhands of young phenom, Sloane Stephens. Yesterday, she beat 18 seed Carla Suarez Navarro, in straight sets. Not unusual. However, to “double bagel” someone is rare. Has not happened in the U.S. Open quarterfinals since 1989. Oh and for those of you wondering what a “double bagel” is, it is when someone beats a player 6-0, 6-0. And just like that Suarez made history. Up next in Serena’s line of fire, Li Na of China. Hope she brings her quadruple A game.

Until next time….TOODELLS.

The weekender

On By kassienetteIn Baseball, Basketball, College football, Football, Hockey, NASCAR, NFL, Panthers, Sports, Tennis, WolfpackLeave a comment

Hey! Hey! Hey!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Here is your quick rekap of what happened in sports this weekend…

The Cardiac Pack is still alive and well. The Wolfpack pulled out a 20-18 win after merryland’s Brad Craddock missed a 33 yard FG with two seconds left. DOINK!

The Jets allllllllllllmost pulled off the upset of the Pats. So close, soooooo close.

RG3 was sooooo close to pulling off the upset of the G-men, throwing a potential game winning TD to Santana Moss with less than two minutes left in the game. Eli then turns around and throws the game winning TD, 19 seconds later. Womp.

Kansas State though? Ran all up and through the mountains of West Va. Sheeeeeeeesh.

Dwight Howard had a memorable preseason debut with the Lakers…19 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two assists. Butter rum, that Thomas Robinson dunk over Howard’s back, WHEEEEEEEEW WHEEEEEE!!

The Indiana Fever defeated the defending champs, Minnesota Lynx, to win its first WNBA Championship. Tamika Catchings was named MVP. Girl power!

The San Francisco Giants, facing elimination, dominated game six, winning 6-1 to force a game seven in the NLCS. Game seven is tonight at 8:00.

Ravens LB Terrell Suggs played in his first game of the season. The Texans welcome back present? A 43-13 rout. Womp.

Suspended/Unsuspended Saints LB played in his first game since being suspended/unsuspended. His welcome back present was his team’s 35-28 win over the Bucs. I have a feeling he will be suspended again next week. Womp.

Matt Kenseth won at the Kansas speedway. Brad Keselowski still holds the number one spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Feathers were flying all over The Swamp Saturday as Florida blasted South Carolina 44-11. Chomp,  Chomp, Chomp.

BCS Standings…1)Bama 2)Florida 3)Kansas State 4)Oregon 5)Notre Dame. This is going to be real interesting.

Venus Williams ended her two year drought by winning the Luxemborg Open. It was her 44th singles title.

Oh yeah, you guessed it. The NHL is still frozen. Double womp.

Until next time…TOODELLS.