2010 Best of Preps: Award winners
Of all the attractions Chattanooga had to offer Venus and Serena Williams, it was one of its oldest that deserved a special visit.
It was one that brought back fond childhood memories for the two sisters who between them have won three Olympic gold medals and more than 30 Grand Slam titles on the tennis circuit.
Chattanooga Bakery, maker of MoonPies.
“We never tried strawberry or orange before,” Venus said before Thursday’s Best of Preps banquet. “We had no idea they were made here, but we grew up on them and love them.
“I haven’t had a chance to taste them yet, but after dinner I’m ready.”
Added Serena: “I’m just going to take them one at a time; I’m focused on them.”
Serena admitted she grew up a double-decker MoonPie fan, while Venus endorsed the banana flavor.
The sisters’ day in the Scenic City consisted of a trip to T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital, a trip to Baylor to speak at a tennis camp and trips to the home of MoonPies and the Southern Star restaurant, all before the banquet.
It was their firsttrip to Chattanooga. Venus said she had been as close as Memphis before.
“I like it better than Memphis,” she said. “It seems to have a more Southern feel to it. There are some great eating spots here.”
Serena admitted to having interest in another event Thursday night. Although more of a Kobe Bryant fan in basketball, she said she would like to see the Boston Celtics pull out Game 4 of the NBA finals in Boston.
“I’m a Lakers fan, but if they win tonight it won’t be a series,” Serena said.
Venus admitted she hadn’t kept up much with the series, as both sisters had just returned from Paris and the French Open.
“I’m just not that big of a sports fan,” she said with a laugh. “I know that sounds funny, but I’m just not into sports except for football.”
The sisters recently became part-owners of the Miami Dolphins.
“I love the Dolphins,” Venus noted. “I love going to their games.”
Serena had words of advice for all the student-athletes in attendance.
“Never give up,” she said. “Whatever route you take — whether you play professionally or decide to go to college — you can’t give up and you have to enjoy what you do.”
The two put on a show during the banquet, talking about topics ranging from childhood memories playing tennis and conversations with their dad about eventually being No. 1 and 2 in the world, to Venus’ desire to return to No. 1, leapfrogging her sister.
“I like being No. 2, but I would like to be No. 1 again,” she said with a laugh.
While taking pictures with the award winners, they were encouraging and captivating. They were fascinated themselves while watching the video of Heart and Desire Award winner Jonathan Blevins of South Pittsburg.
According to Sarah Evans, the Guerry Award winner for tennis, they were easy to talk to.
“It was just so exciting to meet the top two players in the world,” she said. “I had never met anybody famous before and didn’t know how to respond, but they were very nice.”
Said Venus: “It was just a great event. The best part of it all was being able to talk with the kids; as athletes we can relate to each other. I’ve been that age and been an athlete, so just seeing where they are and seeing them being so successful is really touching.
“It was a great event and we were honored to be a part of it.”