Serena Williams had better come out of tennis hiding soon or there will be no one left in the tennis establishment to defend her. 

The latest to turn on her is Chris Evert who has written an open letter to Serena in the May issue of Tennis Magazine "advising" her to rethink what she's doing with her tennis career.

From Tennis Magazine:

Dear Serena,

I’ve been thinking about your career, and something is troubling me. I appreciate that becoming a well-rounded person is important to you, as you’ve made that desire very clear. Still, a question lingers—do you ever consider your place in history? Is it something you care about? In the short term you may be happy with the various things going on in your life, but I wonder whether 20 years from now you might reflect on your career and regret not putting 100 percent of yourself into tennis. Because whether you want to admit it or not, these distractions are tarnishing your legacy.

Just a couple of years ago, when you were fully committed to the game, you showed the athleticism, shot-making, and competitive desire to become the greatest player ever. Many besides myself shared the same sentiment. You won five of the six Grand Slams you entered over the 2002 and 2003 seasons and looked utterly dominant in the process. Then you got sidetracked with injuries, pet projects, and indifference and have won only one major in the last seven you’ve played. I find those results hard to fathom. You’re simply too good not to be winning two Grand Slam titles a year. You’re still only 24, well within your prime. These are crucial years that you’ll never get back. Why not dedicate yourself entirely for the next five years and see what you can achieve?

Perhaps the reason I feel so strongly about this is because I wasn’t blessed with the physical gifts you possess. I know that the lifespan of an athlete’s greatness is brief and should be exploited. Once you get to No. 1 in the world and start winning major titles, you should see how far you can take it. You’ve become very good at many things, but how many people would trade that to be great at just one thing? I don’t see how acting and designing clothes can compare with the pride of being the best tennis player in the world. Your other accomplishments just can’t measure up to what you can do with a racquet in your hand.

Ironically, I believe that if you fulfill your potential on the tennis court, all your other endeavors will become that much easier to pursue. You could become the most famous athlete in the world. Every magazine will want you on its cover and any door you wish to walk through will be wide open. When I was playing, I always knew there would be time to get married, have children, do TV commentating, and even coach if I wanted. I assure you there will be time for you to chase all your dreams once you’re through with tennis.

I offer this only as advice, not criticism, from someone with experience. If you’re completely happy with the way your life is, then crumple up this letter and throw it away. I wish you nothing but luck and success in all your pursuits. Just remember that you have in front of you an opportunity of the rarest kind—to become the greatest ever at something.

I hope you make the most of it.

Comments

GO CHRISSY....it's about time someone tried to slap some sense into today's players, who are more interested in becoming commodities than elite tennis players. Evert is well on point about the differences in natural talent and what a waste BOTH Williams sisters are making of their natural gift. But, I have always thought that a great champion is made of more than just statistics or a great game. Heart is a big factor in considering "the greatest" of anything. In that regard, I feel that neither Williams will ever measure up.

I agree with you Richard. The window of opportunity is closing fast on Serena. She's only 24 and she's out of shape (pudgy) and burned out. If she continues to let herself go she may not be able to make it back. Hingis kept herself in good shape and will never experience the genetic weight problem that Serena is probably in for. Once you let yourself go it is 10 times harder to get it back! She is really going to have to want it badly and, like Richard, I do not see that desire in her right now.

Oohh...cold. Oh yeah, Chris told her...need I say more? Oh, and by the way, Serena, the clock is ticking- 3 years, 2years, 1 year...you'll just never know. Take Chris' advice, PLEASE! FOR THE SAKE OF THE U.S. AND WOMEN"S TENNIS!!!!!

I'm certainly not Serena's biggest fan, however, I would love to see her back competing on tour and in prime shape. Serena, and Venus, raised the athleticism in tennis to a great degree.

Serena is fat, out-of-shape and seems to care less if she ever steps foot on a tennis court again. Her and Venus are too concerned with being BFF's with the skanky Paris Hilton, club-hopping, and hanging out at parties.

If Serena wants to stop playing tennis and focus on her acting career, fashion career, or whatever, I wish she would just say so and stop the nonsense.

I don't expect she'll listen to Evert's advice. The sisters (like most celebrities) surround themselves with sycophants who tell them they're the greatest thing since sliced bread and both honestly believe that they can just step out on court with little practice and still be the the best players on tour.

Quite impressive that Chris would reach out like this. Serena's window of opportunity IS closing fast. Hopefully she will give some thought to reconsidering her legacy and talent. Injuries can totally take the joy out of competing and buoyed by her awesome acheivements and paychecks it's probably easy for her to lay down the racquet thinking she's 'done enough'. She does have her mom's physiotype rather than her dad's and that added to the mix makes a comeback all the harder, especially to avoid reinjuries. She is so much fun to watch on the court, her athleticism and firey determination are a rare combination. Hope she heeds the call.

I disagree with Chris.

Doing what you want in your life is more important that "beeing in History" or being the number one in something.

There is in USA a strong culture of being popular, winning and being number one.

But these things are not a value in itself. This philosophy can be good to be competitive and achieve your goals in that things you do.

But your goal should not be being number one. The goal should be to enjoy playing tennis, competing and of course winning. Do you know how bored must be the life of these guys? Agassi came to Madrid and did not see anything, he was all day in the hotel. If you just do not want to play, do not do it. Serena, we are with you. Number one or not.

Antonio -

Finally there is someone that is making some sense. Serena enjoys playing tennis, but maybe not as much as others at the moment. You people need to give her a break.

Ally, you have finally said ONE thing that I agre with; if Serena wants to focus on other things, she should just say it so you people will leave her alone!

Screw your "heart" crap.... Someone like Amy Frazier will not go in the books as having a better career than Serena or Venus because she had the "heart"... That is a bunch of bull... You may think that counts, but there is a reason you aren't in charge of things like that Richard.

Venus - 5 Grand Slams (3 Wimbledon titles)
Serena - 7 Grand Slams

I LOVE Lindsay Davenport, but I wouldn't even put her down as having a better career than Venus or Serena...

Venus and Serena have the stats (and they CLEARLY have the heart) to right now be considered one of the best. (You're going to tell me Venus winning Wimbledon last year had no heart!?!?! Or even Serena when she won the Australian last year?!?!)

Like I always say - you people just want something to complain about. It is VERY EASY to sit back adn criticize this person and that person. Maybe when your lives are important enough to talk about, you'll understand how some of these players feel.

The good thing about humans is that they are capable of doing MANY things.... not just one.

Obviously she is not being MADE to do just one thing! If she is being honest with herself she is doing what she wants to now. The point is that she has her entire life to do 'many things' she has very little time for tennis. Evert is trying to point this out and Evert is hoping that Serena will not look back on her life when it is too late and regret her choices.

Heart is a bunch of crap??? An interesting point of view for sure! Frazier has a load of heart but doesn't have Serena's natural abilities or talents. Serena is going by the way of Borg, a great player who QUIT way too soon. How many grand slams could he have won? I guess we (and he) will never know.

Hey anonymous ( at 7:58.27 AM) words cannot express how grateful I am that you agree with me on ONE thing - I just can't live if I don't have some anonymous poster's approval.

Seriously, you sound like Serena's press agent. Judging by your post and your use of CAPS, you missed Evert's point (and the points of others expressed here) completely.

Nearly all of us think that Venus and Serena are two of the greatest of all time, but when they continually say they are fully committed to tennis when it is clear they are not, they are going to get CALLED on it. Capice?

Go read Evert's piece and Spud Dog's posts again if you still don't get it.

Right on target Ally!

I understand what Chris said. It's your spin on things that made no sense. Like I said before, I agree with you that she/they ned to just say that they want to focus on others things if that is what they are going to do.

What I do not agree with is the whole "do tennis now" thing. It -does - not - matter - that - they - COULD - accomplish - more - on - the - tennis - court. I will once again use something from Centerstage (the movie). At the end, the girls mother wanted her to be a GREAT dancer because she (the mother) was not born with great feet. The girl loved to dance, but that was not all she wanted in life. Just because OTHERS think you'll feel regret because they aren't that good, does not mean you should do it... (back to tennis) Just because Serena and Venus are good at tennis, and could accomplish more, that does not mean they should do it... They both are fast, how do we know that they aren't missing out on sooo much being professional runners? Yuo people will never understand how they feel. When Pete stopped playing, how do we know that was the "best" time to stop? Maybe he could have won a few more titles... The thing is, we DON'T know and no one can know.... Venus and Serena have focused on tennis most of their lives...now they want to look at other things... done deal.

Again, I will AGREE that they should say that instead of pretending to comeback to the court. If they come back, great. If they don't, I'll be sad, but I'll know it because they are persuing other things that make them happy. I'm not going to be a selfish fan...

Amen anonymous no name.

This is a great discussion! I think our spin on this makes no sense to you because you misinterpret the article we are discussing.

Again, no one is MAKING Serena play tennis. Serena is not a 16 year old. The reality is that she IS doing what she wants to do. No one here is advocating a life of unhappiness for her.

Read the article again, quote:

"I offer this only as advice, not criticism, from someone with experience. If you’re completely happy with the way your life is, then crumple up this letter and throw it away. I wish you nothing but luck and success in all your pursuits. Just remember that you have in front of you an opportunity of the rarest kind—to become the greatest ever at something."

Evert's article is not a criticism. It is advice.

I'm trying to understand your spin on this. If "It -does - not - matter - that - they - COULD - accomplish - more - on - the - tennis - court.", why would she still want to play at all? You seem to believe that she is happy dabbling in her heart's desire whatever that may be. If she plays Wimbledon this year and wins it, does it not matter to her? I think she would be the first to disagree with you!

Serena is at a tennis crossroad in her life. She can either re-dedicate herself to her tennis, get healthy and start kicking ass again (Something you assume she does not want to do). Or she can continue on her recent path (whatever that is). But if she chooses tennis SHE MUST DO IT NOW!!!

Should she do what makes her happy? You bet! Will her recent path lead to continued success in professional tennis? Not likely. Those are the facts. Either way, she is solely responsible for her own happiness. May she always find it.

I think we are all saying the same now. If Serena is a grown girl, she needs no one to feel so wise to advice her. Anonimous understood what Chris says. Chris has an orgasm when she talks about history. History is important but not so much if you compare to doing what you like in life. "Oh if I had your gift I would..." OK do you think Serena does not know that? It is Serena who has this gift and I guess she knows

Antonio, I love you. You are the ONLY person who can comprehend things... Spud, I'm not saying Serena doesn't want it? I'm the one that was fighting for her and Venus having "the heart", remember? YES they want to win titles, but if they don't, it's fine... and you know why? BECAUSE THEY HAVE OTHER INTERESTS! If someone like, I don't know, Frazier, doesn't win, she doesn't really have anything else because tennis is her life.

ALL I AM SAYING IS THIS --

The fact that Serena and Venus have the talent, does not mean they need to follow your timeline for playing. Agassi is a dinosaur and he is still playing well. If I remember correctly, Serena came off of an injury and made it to the Wimbledon final... THEN, she came off of another injury and won the Aussie Open. SHE knows what she needs to do to win, and CLEARLY by her not doing it, it's because she has other important things going on... simple.

At the end of the day, she can sit back and say "wow, look, I have my 7 grand slam titles... and I've even won all 4... wow!"

Question - are you the type of person that would also say "forego college" if you're a really good 18 year old? It might be hard for you to understand, but people, like James Blake, can have HUGE talent, and decide to do other things first. Some would say "Oh, he missed out on so much.." Well guess what? No one cares... All that matters is that that person is happy... James took time to go to Harvard; Serena is taking some time for other things. Done. Screw what her "legacy could be; her place in the history books..."

Yep, you are absolutely right! Except for the 'screw what her legacy would be' philosophy you seem to promote, I guess we aren't really disagreeing on anything here. Everyone is free to pursue what makes them happy. Foregoing college has been the correct move for some and a terrible decision for many others.

Again, Serena IS doing what she wants. If she does think like you and decides to 'screw her legacy' that is her right.

Again, the article we are discussing was not written from the 'screw her legacy' perspective. The article was not written from a 'Serena sucks' perspective. In case, Serena is NOT thinking 'screw my legacy', the article is offering advise toward achieving her potential as a professional tennis player and the legacy that would come with it. If Serena shares Evert's desire to reach this potential, I believe Evert's article to be absolutely correct.

Spud, now you are making sense.. =)
But, I'll say it again, I'm not arguing with CE's letter. I think the way she went about it was nice; she didn't attack Serena like most people do. Most of what Evert says is fine, I just don't like the "Because whether you want to admit it or not, these distractions are tarnishing your legacy." part and ESPECIALLY "You’ve become very good at many things, but how many people would trade that to be great at just one thing? I don’t see how acting and designing clothes can compare with the pride of being the best tennis player in the world. Your other accomplishments just can’t measure up to what you can do with a racquet in your hand."

Chris has NO RIGHT saying that; she doesn't know Serena's life and what she can accomplish. Don't downplay her other things because YOU think her tennis is better. THAT, spud, is the part of Chris's letter I do not like.

I originally wrote because other people were taking Chris's letter, and then turning around and attacking Serena. That is why I wrote. Once again, I'll say it, because no one wants to fully understand what I'm saying (except for Antonio... and now you, somewhat, spud) --- EVERT's letter is FINE. Some parts could and should have been left out, but overall, the letter is fine.

I appreciate the discussion. You've really helped me to think this tennis issue through.

The section of the article you take exception to kind of reminds me of my parents trying to lecture me on my future. It can be viewed as de-grading but I try not to take it that way. I know they care for me.

I think that Evert may view her role in tennis as some sort of career counsellor to the current players. In fact, I feel that the tennis community thrusts that role on her at times. I would love to know how Serena would respond to it! Lately, she seems pretty frustrated with everyone's opinions. I can't blame her but I think it comes with the territory of being a public figure. If she becomes the big-time actress that she has been pursuing somewhat, she will be in the same boat with her new career.

Keep in mind that we ALL leave legacies. We have jobs, friends, parents, children, students, mentors, even people we meet for one brief moment in our every day life. All these folks influence us as we influence them. This happens whether we like it or not. Serena has the choice of what her legacy will be. She does not have the choice of leaving one or not. In my mind, (not that she cares) her legacy will always be a positive one.

Spud, I 100% agree with your last post. =)~

All you need is love!! Regards from Madrid everybody

Chris Evert has taken on the role of "counselor" to the younger players. That's the torch of responsibility passed on to her from Billie Jean. And she means Serena no harm.

Its simple advice -- IF you have anything left towards being at the top of your tennis game -- NOW is the time. The "life" of a player is short.

If Serena doesn't care about being at the top of the game anymore, I want her to say it publicly, so that we can all move on.

For me, I understand Serena's problems. As much as I love Chrissie, her sisters Jeanne and Clare are doing fine and alive. Venus and Serena's sister is the victim of awful violence, and she's dead. This had to have effected both Williams sisters. Perhaps they simply wished to enjoy life having realized how short it truly is.

On the other hand, both Serena and Venus are tennis greats. So, I say either commit to the game, or move on for good and be clear about it.

I disagree with the naysayers about "heart." Chrissie Evert is the greatest in my opinion because of her "heart." She wasn't the biggest, fastest, most athletically gifted, but her strong never say die "heart," made her defy the odds and build a more fit and stronger body, make her an all court player, and most importantly, she willed herself to go beyond her means!

On top of all of that, she's lived up to Billie Jean's grooming her to be there for the players who came after. BJK, Navratilova, and Evert have more heart than most of the entire women and men playing in all of tennis today.

For them, its not just about bucks, it was about being the BEST that you could be! Listen up Serena. Do you care to be the best that you can be? To continue to improve every level of your game, as well as who you are, and what you bring to life?

Well, that's what Chris is asking you to consider. She doesn't advise you to drop your other dreams, she just advises you to drop Paris Hilton, and either get back to what you were born to do, or move on to something that you've decided to love better.

Again, Chris knows that those other endeavors will be there in five years, but frankly, your body may not be there for you to be a great tennis player in five years!

in all honesty, if i was serena i would not come back. there is no player who is made more fun off or vilified by the media like she is. in australia they made fun of her weight. when monica seles or lindsay were out of shape they were never called fat. the tennis media never ever addressed the death of the sister, but were quick to address james blake comeback from his sickness. my mum lives in dc, she loves tennis, but whenever serena plays she mutes the volume. i asked her why and she replied that she was sick and tired of all the negative comments that those girls get from carillo, or shriver. so why come back to a sport that is really looking for a villian to compare against their long legged blonde heroine who has only won one grandslam. so i guess when they (the williams sisters) look at it, there is realli nothing to come back to. legacy be damned. serena will listen to martina but she will never listen to evert. when those girls were coming up and playing hingis evert was their biggets critic, maybe because she was hingis mentor. but i think she will listen to martina though.

I am a big fan of serena and venus. i wouldlove for serena to come back and I think that she will. I do think that she love the sport and want to come back. She is an intense player with a rare gift. she is really good. Serena please take care of yourslef and make your country proud. be the best tennis player you can be. there was a time when you played. you had your notes reminding you of things you needed to do during the match and they helped you stay foucsed and win. We want to see yuo play well again and give those girls a hard time again. they are all cruising now, in their comfort zone. let them know that your not gone and you still have it.

I agree with Chris Evert wholeheartedly! It seems that Serena has the most potential of any female player ever, and I do not mean this statement as an attack on Evert, who arguably has the best record ever. I just do not get how any athlete can ever get away with not reaching her potential or doing her very best (and you cannot accomplish anything if you do not show up). For anybody who genuinely gets sports and understands it, it is like sinning to not be your best. As usual, Serena's foolish "vanity" is getting in the way of her potential. I have a hunch that Serena is a really sweet girl and not the vane money and celebrity hungry Paris wannabe that she pretends to be, but those barriers seemingly will never come down, and I will not get to see the real Serena. Tennis could actually help her to grow up. Evert is the smartest, most optimistic, and wisest "advisor" that she could ever ask for. How sad that she could probably care less!

i can see where both sides are coming from...some are arguing that one should be left alone in terms of choices in life and one should do whatever that is that pleases one...the others are trying to say if you have that gift why not give it your best shot, whether you like it or not, it is legacy that matters most at the end...
i agree and am happy that serena should feel that she has to make her own choices, to enjoy life. but i am also very pleased that someone with Chris's experiences and backgrounds actually wrote this piece to serena.
as chris has said, she is in no position to criticise anybody, it is only an advice from an EXPERIENCED. it may well have been the case that serena, at only 24 years of age, is not fully mature enough to realise what it is that truly makes her happy...she too may be wondering at this very moment what it is in life that she wants to achieve and at the moment is paralysed in all the opening opportunities to be a film stars or whatever...chris's letter is just an advise from someone with similar if not the same experience...
if, at the end serena chooses to pursuit her other goals, i would be happy for her, seriously i would. given that she has really given it a second thought...personally i would be so excited if she decides to come back to tennis, to play it at the top level. the thing i totally agree with in chris's letter is that although there are at the moment so many gifted players around, i still don't see anyone who has the same utimate gift as serena possesses, all those natural qualities needed in order to be the greatest>>