1 in WTA history and equaling Steffi Graf’s record for most consecutive weeks atop the rankings; — leading the tour with 37 singles titles, 11 more than anyone else in the decade. The tennis superstar has won 23 grand slam singles titles, more than anyone else in the history of professional tennis. “I definitely feel like when I lose, I don't feel as good about myself," she said. “Whenever I lose, I get more determined, and it gives me something more to work toward,” Williams said in a 2013 interview with the AP. LeBron James was named the Associated Press' Male Athlete of the Decade, according to the AP's Tim Reynolds . “Once you start winning, some get cocky, but she's stayed true to herself, win or lose.”It's the defeats that seem to drive Williams, helping propel her to heights rarely reached by any athlete in any sport.“Whenever I lose, I get more determined, and it gives me something more to work toward,” Williams said in a 2013 interview with the AP. James is The Associated Press male athlete of the decade, adding his name to a list that includes Tiger Woods, Wayne Gretzky and Arnold Palmer. “She's been my idol growing up,” Biles said. Get local stories sent straight to your inbox as news breaks. “I definitely feel like when I lose, I don’t feel as good about myself,” she said. He was a runaway winner in a vote of AP … “And it's those moments that I have to just, like, come off and be like, ‘Serena, do you know what you’ve done? I like to call it the ‘Serena Superpowers’ — that champion's mindset. The Ten Most Interesting Little Known Black History Facts, Trump Supporter Who Killed Black Lives Matter Protester Dies By Suicide, Pastor John Gray Accused of Cheating Again, Andrew Gillum And Wife Open Up To Tamron Hall About Hotel Incident, Marriage And More, Who Is Jessica Betts? Williams has been voted the AP Female Athlete of the Decade for 2010 to 2019. She also won in 2002 and 2009. 1 in WTA history and equaling Steffi Graf's record for most consecutive weeks atop the rankings; — leading the tour with 37 singles titles, 11 more than anyone else in the decade. “She’s been my idol growing up,” Biles said. Thank you for subscribing! She’s stayed true to herself and her character and I think that’s really neat about an athlete,” Biles said. With a best-in-the-game serve, powerful groundstrokes and relentless court coverage, she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, more than anyone else in her sport’s professional era, which began in 1968. Serena Williams dominated the decade, on the court and in conversation. “Whether it was health issues, coming back, having a child — almost dying from that — she has endured it all and she is still in championship form,” Allaster said. It's the defeats that seem to drive Williams, helping propel her to heights rarely reached by any athlete in any sport. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. “When the history books are written, it could be that the great Serena Williams is the greatest athlete of all time. Like, ‘Are you kidding me? In his 17th season, he's on … “When the history books are written, it could be that the great Serena Williams is the greatest athlete of all time. The decade began inauspiciously in 2010, when Williams cut her feet on broken glass at a restaurant and was hospitalized with blood clots in her lungs. Tennis player Serena Williams was named The Associated Press' "Female Athlete of The Decade" on Saturday, a well-deserved bookend to a dominate 10-year stretch.. Gymnast Simone Biles, the 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year, finished second to Williams in voting for the decade honor, followed by swimmer Katie Ledecky. There were, to begin with, the dozen Grand Slam single titles — no other woman had more than three over the past 10 seasons — and the 3 1/2 years in a row at No. Three of Williams’ five AP Female Athlete of the Year awards came during the last decade, in 2013, 2015 and 2018. In all, she made the final at 19 of the 33 majors she entered during the decade, a nearly 58% rate. She's stayed true to herself and her character and I think that's really neat about an athlete,” Biles said. Still winning matches and reaching Grand Slam finals into her late 30s, still mattering as much as ever, Williams was selected by The Associated Press as the Female Athlete of the Decade on Saturday after a vote by AP member sports editors and AP beat writers. Who you are? “I don't get complacent, and I realize I need to work harder and I need to do better and I want to do better — or I wouldn't be playing the game.”With a best-in-the-game serve, powerful ground strokes and relentless court coverage, she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, more than anyone else in her sport's professional era, which began in 1968.More than half came from 2010 to 2019: four at Wimbledon, three apiece at the U.S. Open and Australian Open, two at the French Open. '” Williams continued with a laugh. More than half came from 2010-19: four at Wimbledon, three apiece at the U.S. Open and Australian Open, two at the French Open. Like, ‘Are you kidding me?’” Williams continued with a laugh. “She’s remained humble. All Rights Reserved. With the 2010s drawing to a close, the Associated Press has bestowed its Male Athlete of the Decade award on LeBron James and Female Athlete of the Decade on Serena Williams. Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. “Her records speak for themselves.”, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. With a best-in-the-game serve, powerful ground strokes and relentless court coverage, she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, more than anyone else in her sport's professional era, which began in 1968.