Williams Sisters in 2012
Schiavone beat both Williams sisters in a Milan exhibition. For Schiavone this is another great moment in her up and coming tennis career. However, Schiavone and Pennetta lost to the Williams sisters in doubles and for Venus and Serena who are hoping to take a gold in London this may have been a bigger moment.
It’s been up & down
Venus won the singles gold medal in Sydney. However, the five-time Wimbledon champion’s ranking has fallen to No. 104 because of injuries, while Serena’s ranking has improved to 12th after missing nearly a year with injuries and health issues. (ESPN)
After having been on top for a number of years it may have taken it’s toll on the Williams sisters bodies in ways they could have never realized. And through a number of injuries and health issues the Williams sisters are fighting back to defend their title in London 2012.
More powerful together
Eager to go for their third Olympic gold together after victories at the 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Games how do the Williams sisters continue to stay so strong in doubles? Two tennis players who’ve used their strength & skill to dominate the individual and doubles tennis scene for so long but who have had severe injuries and health issues and probably a bit broken down individually have continued to find the mental and physical strength and skill they need together.
In order for the Williams sisters to come back physically they need to be strong mentally…really strong. It’s always seemed that their self esteem and confidence have always been strong on and off the court; in interviews and designing their own clothing line. Their self esteem and confidence don’t seem to ever have waned, at least from a public perspective, although given everything they’ve been through I am sure there have been moments.
What develops strength and character
It sounds like Richard Williams has had a positive impact on his daughter’s lives as their Dad and their coach. Having Richard Williams as a role sounds like it’s develop the tenacity they’ve needed to persevere through the challenges that exist going pro and the challenges they’ve endured through injuries and health issues.
Although they grew up in an environment that fostered a positive competitive spirit and obviously teamwork, that doesn’t mean that once the Williams sisters became adults they had to continue moving in that direction. They developed and built upon the one thing that has kept them going through all the ups and downs, the one thing that worked: their mental framework. It is this framework that continues to keep them strong and confident enough to win the gold in 2012. It is this kind of strength that will get them their.
Mental training
The last two blogs about DJ Williams and Serena and Venus Williams definitely points to the importance of learning to be mentally strong. For DJ that strength may have come from another place than it did for the Williams sisters but regardless it is necessary to find strength, confidence, self esteem and tenacity in or from life that translates into professional sports careers that can be as challenges (sometimes) as real life; particularly if you want the gold in 2012.
I have seen the Williams sisters fall apart on the tennis court but they are human and it’s partly that humanness that has gotten them to where they are.
If you are looking for improved strength, confidence, self esteem and tenacity let me know. I can help! 🙂
Happy Monday!
Dr. Michelle
Photo credit: galawebdesign
