Her authentic personality and candor drew people to her. She smiled for the cameras, waved to the crowds and sat for the interviews. Her consistent wins established her as a dominant force in women’s tennis. She climbed the rankings and drew praise from the public and media. She, too, had trained from a young age, becoming a professional as a teenager. She made a decision that was best for herself, and as a result, all hell broke loose.Īt the same time, a young tennis player had risen to stardom. The negative attention was all because she put her needs above the pressure to conform to other people’s expectations. Some called her “childish” and a “national embarrassment.” Others called her “selfish” and “weak.”
One day, after realizing she could not perform safely, that young woman decided that she needed a break. “Perfection,” some journalists would write. She persevered through personal, emotional, mental and physical challenges, including abuse by one charged with her care. That young woman had begun training as a child and had competed at the elite level for more than 10 years, winning championships and Olympic medals.Īlways poised, she was the consummate professional on and off camera. Some considered her the greatest athlete - in any sport - alive. There once was a young gymnast labeled the greatest of all time. I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.
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