Associated Press, Sep. 13, 2002
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HONG KONG (AP) — All the wealth and attention that come from being world No. 1 are great, but Serena Williams said Friday that God is above all in her life.
Williams was asked in a news conference how she ranked various priorities: Love, money, family and her stellar tennis career. She picked none of the above.
“I’d rather say God goes in there first, and then family, and then career, and then money,” Williams answered.
Then with a good laugh she acknowledged having no boyfriend.
“There’s no love,” said Williams, who last week defeated older sister Venus to win the U.S. Open, her third straight Grand Slam title.
The outcome didn’t leave any hard feelings, Serena Williams said.
“We’ve always been close whether she wins or whether I win,” she said. “It didn’t actually affect our relationship when she won and I won a couple. Who knows who might start winning again?”
Williams turns 21 on Sept. 26 but plans to keep it low key.
“It’s like another day for me,” Williams said, wearing a hairband glittering with costume jewels. “I am a Jehovah’s Witness so we don’t really believe in celebrations or birthdays.”
After staging a tennis demonstration in Hong Kong on Saturday, Williams heads north Sunday for the Princess Cup in Tokyo.
After staging a tennis demonstration in Hong Kong on Saturday, Williams heads north Sunday for the Princess Cup in Tokyo.