SUPER SERENA. The world’s best female tennis player Serena Williams (right) landing on Barbadian soil yesterday. Accompanied by her sister Lyn-dre Price (left), she was greeted on the tarmac at the Grantley Adams International Airport by organisers of the LIME Tennis Pon The Rock and tourism officials.Williams, 28, who is scheduled to play world No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki in an exhibition match at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium this evening, has a slight cold, and was unable to join National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers for the spinning of the toss to start the inaugural CLOBI International Cup at Kensington Oval last night. (EZS) (Guest Photo)
by EZRA STUART
TENNIS QUEEN SERENA WILLIAMS arrived in Barbados yesterday to play an exhibition match against World No.4 Caroline Wozniacki at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium today.
After touching down at the Grantley Adams International Airport, the flamboyant 11-time Grand Slam champion - dressed in black pants, jacket and white blouse with a scarf around her neck - was escorted into the Grace Adams Suite with little fanfare.
Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy and Minister of Sports Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo and president of the Barbados Tourism Authority David Rice gave brief welcome remarks, but reporters from all media houses who were invited to cover her arrival were denied an opportunity to interview Williams.
As soon as Sealy, Suckoo-Byer and Rice ended their greetings, a chorus of “thank yous” followed, without Williams being invited to say a few words.
However, after one quick question by a reporter, Serena, who was accompanied by her sister Lyn-Dre Price, manager Jill Smoller and friend Kevin Davis, said she was happy to be in Barbados.
“I’m excited to be here. It has been a long time since I have been able to come to such a beautiful place. I look forward to seeing it,” said the 28-year-old American, who leads all sports women in career earnings at US$28 506 993.
It was later disclosed that Williams, the reigning Wimbledon champion, had a slight cold and had had a long flight.
In his welcome address, Sealy said it was a pleasure to have Williams in Barbados and he was looking forward to the activities which have been planned within the concept of the sports tourism for the weekend.
“This is our Independence celebration and we are glad that you can come and be part of it. . . . This has been long in coming and I think it signals just how serious this Government is about the sports fusion and how determined we are to take it to another level,” Sealy said.
Byer-Suckoo echoed the comments of Sealy and told Williams Barbadians were excited about her visit.
“You added an extra special dimension to our weekend of celebration and I hope that your visit to Barbados is just as memorable for you as we know it will be for all of Barbados,” she said.
Last night, Williams, still feeling unwell, did not make it to Kensington Oval as scheduled to spin a coin with the island’s only living National Hero, Sir Garfield Sobers, to usher the start of the inaugural CLOBI Cup, featuring masters cricket teams from England, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the West Indies. But Sir Garry did the spinning.
This evening, Serena will play the exhibition match on an imported indoor tennis court at the gymnasium of the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex.
Tomorrow she plays a doubles match at Sugar Hill Resort in St James. (Nation News)
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