Serena Williams professes not to notice the fact that she has become the first woman to surpass $9 million in annual prize earnings through her fifth US open title win at the weekend. She also feigns ignorance at the news that her career earnings on court have gone north of a massive $50 million.
“I don’t play tennis for the money, I honestly love to play,” said Williams, who beat Victoria Azarenka for a second straight year in New York. “When I grew up playing tennis in Compton, (California) I just never thought about any of this.
“I think my dad got me into tennis because of the money, but me being naive and silly, I never thought about it. I just thought, ‘I want to win. I wanted to do what Venus does. I want to win and I want to do more.'”
Williams seems familiar enough with the logistics of her many tournament paydays, though. “To this day I have never ever (physically) picked up a check. Back in the day before wiring they used to mail it because I just would forget it. I play for the love of tennis.”
Williams said that whatever staggering figures she earns, it’s certainly not all hers to keep: “Half of that goes to my Uncle Sam. I love him. I’m always giving him half my money.”
Topics: 10sballs, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis, US Open, Victoria Azarenka