2010 Best of Preps: Award winners
As sports fans, we’ve all watched Venus and Serena Williams on the tennis court. Whether for their championship play, intense arguments with officials or even their attire, they are headline makers at every stop on the tour.
But Thursday evening, as they entered the backstage area before the annual Best of Preps awards banquet, they did so in a strikingly different manner, walking the hallway arm-in-arm, siblings enjoying an “off day” away from the court.
“I’m not sure how many people actually know just how close we really are,” Venus said as Serena gave a knowing nod while checking her cell-phone messages. “We’ve lived together for about 10 years now, even though we’re both grown-ups. We’ve got an understanding: She cooks and I eat.
“It’s really great to have a buddy, a support system, with you at all times. We’re each other’s biggest fans.”
In their first visit to the Scenic City, the Williams sisters tried to soak up every bit of Southern hospitality during their brief stay, stopping to pick up MoonPies and even have a salad at the Southern Star restaurant. They were engaging throughout the evening, answering every question candidly, including Serena revealing to the sold-out banquet hall that Venus has “a candy addiction” and is somewhat of a “geek” because of all the online classes she has taken and that if they play for fun, they do so left-handed, just to make it interesting.
“I think the way we were brought up by our parents, it just made all of us a very tight-knit group,” Venus said. “If I have a bad match, I know I can count on a text message from Serena telling me I’m still the best. I can be really down, but hearing that from her kind of lifts me up. That means a lot.”
They stayed long after the final award had been presented, leaving a lasting impression on each young athlete as they posed for pictures with each award winner before exiting, once again arm-in-arm and all smiles.
“It was pretty neat to see them in person and get to have our picture taken with them,” said Howard track star LaQuisha Jackson, who won two awards, including the Scrappy Moore Female Athlete of the Year honor. “They’ve accomplished a lot in their careers, and it was special to get to hear them talk about growing up and setting goals.
“This was an exciting night for me and actually makes me want to go work harder for next year.”