Serena Williams: A Champion Is Under Fire (So what else is new?)

It is true that Serena Williams lets her anger get the better part of her character and it could not be more a matter of public display, by nature.

(CLEVELAND) - Media sources tend to agree that Serena Williams may be the greatest women's tennis player who ever lived, however her choice of words to an official at the U.S. Open, have landed this young superstar in hot water.

The press seems divided over whether she crossed the line into the abyss, or simply let her anger get the better of her like many people would do under that level of pressure.

One simple argument as Luke outlines in this poem, is the fact that we all like the rumble when it comes to sports, and watching sparks fly is just part of the action.

It is true that Serena Williams lets her anger get the better part of her character and it could not be more a matter of public display, by nature.

However some charge this woman and her incredible inspiring rise to the top has led to a world of entitlement - and they say her abject refusal to own up to her behavior.

Few forget that only two years ago, she was accused of acting in a way considered menacing toward a line judge, but since when is this new on the pro tennis courts?

Serena Williams: A Champion Is Under Fire (So what else is new?)

9/12/09 US Open down 15-30, foot fault is the call,
Simply get psyched for your second serve that’s all,
Whoa, I had to hit the rewind button on the remote,
“I will ram this ball down your bleeping throat?”

No! This from Serena Williams champion of true?
Shows what can happen when loosing your cool,
Even a champion in the class of, “the prime elite,
Will have victory snatched by the jaws of defeat.

So, two points to Miss Clijsters, game, set and match,
Serena seemed to leap in defense like a wounded cat,
We’re not only talking money but professional pride,
Standing her ground only the weaker ones run & hide.

And not to take anything from the Clijsters girl Kim,
I’m sure many hard hours on the court & in the gym,
3 years after giving birth, many saying she could not,
Played the match of her life against #1 in the top spot.

Even Dr. J and Larry Bird, this I will never forget,
In a game had their hands around each others neck,
Superstar athletes perform in severe mental heat,
They loose there long before being physically beat.

Yeah! Players like Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone,
On second thought think I’ll leave well enough alone,
Well, you get the picture watching it is the easy part,
Strategy’s in the brain, the beat flows from the heart.

As the blood is boiling hot enough to brew herbal tea,
And the smell is animal like with the scent of victory,
It’s impossible to cool it down even with ice cold water,
H2o will evaporate because the temperature gets hotter.

Hey, don’t be too hard on any player not being humble,
The whole reason we’ll watch sports is for the rumble,
And I don’t mean like football or combatants who box,
Could be a golf match when a player is put on the clock.

Miss Williams has apologized, simply let it go at that,
Eventually, she and Kim will once again play it back,
Same draw or in the finals they’ll meet sooner or later,
Hope the match is not like this, hope it will be greater.

2010, Serena has a foot injury that many are claiming suspect,
She’s pulled out of some tournaments oh how easily we forget,
There are not too many kind words, sports writers have to say,
It wasn’t that long ago the tennis world did not want her to play.

It is the 2011 U.S. Open and controversy is again in the news,
Serena shouts come on as the balls in play expressing her views,
And although the shot was clearly out of her opponent’s reach,
Code violation and point reversal from the chair umpire’s seat.

“Intentional Hindrance” from the Greek official, Asderaki said,
Fiery competitor that she is Serena blew a gasket from her head,
Already on probation not from assault, DUI, or a heinous crime,
Reacting like two guys, Roddick & McEnroe, speaking her mind.

"If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way,”
Along with several other choice words Ms. Williams had to say,
To make a supposedly long match short it was like that outburst,
Former number one faces an uphill battle again to be ranked 1st.

Sam Stosur won the match 6-2 6-3, yes the Aussie played great,
And it is seriously doubtful if that one incident decided her fate,
Is it possible one point might dictate the outcome of 2 out of 3?
When it takes an entire match to give a, “Champion” the victory.

Couple of the world’s best players, were in the finals of this game,
An individual sport of unparalleled excellence driving you insane,
Through all the adversity these champions still performed above,
With unequalled compassion which as always begins with, “Love!”

By Luke Easter

Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com