Serena Williams has jump started her 2010 season as she has done four other times by claiming her fifth Grand Slam title down under.  Love her or not, Serena proved yet again that when it comes to tenacity, she has no equal.  Perhaps, her super-competitiveness is the result of being the youngest of five daughters.

Perhaps, it is prompted by the success of her 30-year old sister Venus.  It might be the money.  It might be the fame.  Whatever it is, there is something that drives this woman.  Something we would all like to have.  That magical combination of power, grace, dedication, style, wealth, drive and super confidence.  The more acclaim this woman gets, the better her tennis becomes.

A statistical phenomenon! A look at her accomplishments on and off the court leaves your head spinning and wondering how she has the time.  On the court, a career won lost record in singles of 459 – 98.  Her career doubles record is a sparkling 141 – 19.  Wow!  That’s against the best competition in the world.

Serena is the proud possessor of 12 singles Grand Slam singles titles and 11 Grand Slam doubles titles.  Are you kidding me?  The singles numbers are very-Federerish, but Roger does not do doubles.

The number two player in the current rankings is Dinara Safina.  Serena’s career record against her is 6  – 1.  The third ranked player is Caroline Wozniacki.  Serena holds a 2 – 0 record against the young starlet and a 6-2 lifetime record against fourth ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova.

On the court, Serena Williams is the real deal, and then some.  She is not into that Azarenka – Sharapova grunt and groan thing. She’s the perfect mixture of Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier.  She floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.  She’s as stubborn as Frazier, as gifted as Ali.

And, oh, yes, there’s a temper under all that.  It surfaced last year at the U.S. Open and frankly was an outrageous, undignified outburst.  Tennis fans have long memories.  The woman has paid her dues, made her apologies and is moving forward.  There are some pretty high profile athletes that have done far worse.  Anyone seen that famous golfer lately?  Serena was embarrassed and did not handle it well.  She did not intend to do the game that feeds her harm.  It will not happen again.  Enough said.

Interesting Serena facts:

• 2003 recipient of the Celebrity Role Model Award from the Avon foundation.
• Appeared in Forbes Magazine in 2004 Celebrity 100 list.
• Enjoys football
• 2004 Sports Illustrated Bathing suit issue.
• Co-founder of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Kenya.
• Has appeared on various television shows including, CNN People in the News, Law and Order, Fast Cars and Superstars (ABC), Street Time, My Wife and Kids.
• 2003 Top 10 Marketable Women.
• Favorite author is Maya Angelou
• Opened her own clothing line – Aneres
• Favorite place to visit s Italy.
• Like Mariah Carey, Brandy

Yes, Serena Williams is about tennis, but she is just as intriguing off the court as she is talented on the court.  A champion wherever she is.

Serena has taken home $22 million in prize money, and may be 5 times that amount in endorsements and off court activities. She finances the Serena Williams Foundation whose prime objective is to provide assistance to African children in all phases of education. She likes to be a philanthropist, and often visits Africa to see how her Foundation is progressing. She is currently building a school in Senegal that will offer completely free tuition, and expects to be present for its opening before the end of 2008.

Serena admits that she hates working out in a gym, but keeps fit practicing Yoga and doing Palates. She tries to always look her best but says its difficult to do on the tennis court when she’s sweating, grunting and pulling faces. She says she has a sizable ass, and big boobs, and that she’ll never be skinny like Venus. Her two best assets, other than her forehand and her service, are her smile and her cleavage, she commented recently with a saucy smile.

Serena is 27 and still single. She has been asked about ‘the men in her life’ and says she is a sucker for a gentleman, someone who is as old-fashioned as she is when it comes to being treated like a lady. She likes muscular men who open doors, who are well groomed and polite, and ones who keep their hands to themselves.

So here’s a message for Jelana, Ana, Maria and Safina, between now and January find a muscular Aussie bloke with no hands to distract her from her game, it’s the only chance you’ve got!