Freude » with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hoc

She has 22 Grand Slam titles and her own clothing line. She has earned more than $80 million in prize money and spent nearly six years as the No. 1 tennis player in the world. So what to get Serena Williams on her 35th birthday? We present perspective, from friends, rivals and fans, all of whom told us what Serena means to them.I didnt know anything about tennis, but I definitely knew who Serena Williams was. I remember being out on tour with Destinys Child. She came to a show and she and I havent stopped talking since that day. We just clicked. Shes always seemed to find a way to make me laugh, let me know when Im at my greatest, but will also let me know when Im at my worst, and thats when true friendship is tested. Its how honest one can be with you. How she balances being the No. 1 tennis player in the world and a No. 1 friend baffles me. She is the friend that I prayed and asked God for, whom I also deeply admire. My lifelong friend. Serena Williams.-- Kelly Rowland, singerShes the ultimate competitor, a person that plays the game with so much fire and passion. I have tons of respect for her and what shes been able to do over her career. Arguably one of the best women athletes to ever play any sport, and she does it with grace and passion.-- Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks quarterback I know the numbers and the stats and the records, but I feel her career is the best in the history of the game even without those. I truly believe that. ... I have always admired the way shes handled the ups and downs of her career, and shes always had that champion mentality and the fighting spirit. Its just amazing. To me, shes always been the toughest opponent you can have, but also the most exciting. Ive always looked forward to playing against her, because thats when you truly test yourself or your level. Its always exciting to me. In my mind, shes the greatest player ever, regardless of the record.-- Victoria Azarenka, tennis playerSerena means strength and beauty to me. She breaks barriers in tennis and for women, with just enough of an edge to keep everyone waiting to see what she will do next. Congrats. You set the championship standard for us all.-- Monica Abbott, softball pitcher Shes important to me. Shes important to young girls who look like her and me. Shes important to women in sports in general. With her, I always use the phrase unapologetically fearless. ... She hasnt backed down from her body shape, from wanting to get paid at a high level like the men, from so many issues. You see this kid who came from Compton and what shes been able to achieve; shes been this icon.--Swin Cash, basketball starI mean, body. ... She is a walking goddess. Amazing. Feminine. Strength. Lets take gender and all of that out for a minute, and just focus on an amazing athlete. I know that I couldnt stand up against her. Shes amazing. ... Theres a lot that comes with the expectation of who people perceive you to be, then you could just be who you are. Shes a very elegant woman.-- Usher, entertainerSerena is the epitome of power, finesse, and she has everything in her arsenal. She can do anything, and when I watch her play, its her game to lose. To me, I call it big, bold and beautiful. Thats what Serena means to me. I think to me, whenever she loses a match, she always gives the competitor their dues, and thats what a great champion is -- they played well and they played better than her that day. It wasnt that they were hitting lucky shots. It was, they played to win.Kerry Phomtavong, fan from Oakland, CaliforniaSerena means champion to me. I got a chance to see her 30 for 30 and see how she was raised, see all the challenges her and her family had to go through to even get her to this level. Its rewarding, its like the cherry on top of the cake to the story. Your parents always tell you to work hard, and shes that proof.-- Fabolous, rapper I remember watching her play in her catsuit outfit at the US Open [in 2002]. That was awesome. I was like, Oh my gosh, this girl rocks! I hadnt met her at the time yet. And the first time I did meet her, she was so sweet and just gracious, and nice enough to talk to me. Little me! I couldnt believe it. It was just in passing the first time, it really wasnt anything special, but it was just the fact that it was her -- Serena Williams! -- talking to me.-- Shelby Rogers, tennis playerSerena means a source of comfort for me. When I was younger, I kind of felt alone because I was one of the couple black swimmers in the sport. Just watching her be so dominant in a sport that she was also a minority in comforted me, and kind of helped me realize that if I wanted to fulfill a dream, I could, and I shouldnt let the fact that Im a minority in a sport keep me from reaching those goals and dreams.-- Simone Manuel, swimming gold medalist Watching her, its an inspiration. Shes so powerful in everything that she does. When she loses, I feel like Ive lost. When she wins, its like we all win together.-- Tamika Catchings, basketball starSerena is an amazing athlete and an amazing tennis role model for all players. Shes one of the greatest players of all time. I think Serena should definitely be praised for all of her accolades on and off the court. Shes definitely a role model for all players to look up to. ... Its just herself in general -- her presence on and off the court, what shes brought to womens sports and, selfishly, womens tennis.-- Coco Vandeweghe, tennis playerSerena Williams is the ultimate human being. ... Shes true and real, she owns who she is. She believes in the struggle and is mentally tough. To me ... being mentally tough, that is the most inspirational thing you can have -- is to trust and believe in yourself. That you can succeed and overcome all things -- even when the going gets tough. Being mentally tough, especially as a fitness professional, its not about your body, its not about a size, but rather a mentality. If you want to achieve any goal, it starts from the neck up. And Serena definitely leads the charge as being the greatest athlete of all time because she leads with her mind, but possesses the power.-- Shaun T, celebrity fitness trainerProbably the world. We love each other. We have so much fun together and we enjoy each other, so I think that has made our life meaningful.-- Venus Williams, sister Nike Vapormax Flyknit 2 Australia . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Nike Tn Mens Sale . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. http://www.vapormaxaustraliashoes.com/air-vapormax-plus-australia/men-s-shoe.html . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Nike Vapormax Mens Australia . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Nike Vapormax 95 Australia . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Halftime came early in the Dayton-Butler game on Saturday.When an ambulance and EMTs needed to leave the Butler Bowl to bring injured Butler senior Jordan Ransone to the hospital, play was delayed because there wasnt a second ambulance available at the game. Halftime began with 7:03 remaining in the second quarter, and officials allowed the bands to take the field to do their halftime shows.Once the ambulannce and EMTs returned, play resumed.dddddddddddd As with situations involving game delays for weather, the second halftime ended up being a three-minute break in order for the field to be switched.Dayton went on to win its fourth straight game with a 31-16 victory over Butler.? ' ' '