A panel discussion at the USTA Southern Tennis Association's annual meeting convened Satuday in Atlanta to discuss the state of American professional tennis and other topics related to the sport and the publicity it receives.
While topics included the fall of Andy Roddick out of the top-10 in 2011, Mardy Fish's rise into the upper echelon of the game and the number of young kids across the country now playing tennis, some comments made by the USTA's Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Gordon Smith caught me a bit off guard.
Reacting to Serena Williams' comments earlier this month that she doesn't love the sport of tennis, Smith seemed disappointed and upset that one of the greatest players in the history of the sports would make such remarks. It's not often you hear the USTA speaking candidly about current players.
"You may have seen the comments Serena made saying she doesn't love tennis, I'm disappointed and concerned how younger players who look up to Serena will take those remarks," Smith told a panel and a room of atendees. "What does that say about our sport? and those who play it?"
What Serena said should be looked at closely. "I mean, I don't love tennis today, but I'm here, and I can't live without it ... so I'm still here and I don't want to go anywhere any time soon," Williams said after her first match at the Brisbane event in Australia.
I don't believe her and apparently either does Smith. Smith says that Serena isn't a full-time tennis player anymore, she's a celebrity. Celebrities sometimes just say things. Look at the Kardashians, they say things all the time.
I served on this panel with Smith and brought up to him what was written in the USA Today website last weekend by Doug Robson. Robson wrote about the disconnect between the Williams' Sisters, especially Serena and some young American professional female players. Robson was told by Christina McHale, who is ranked No. 42 in the world and Jamie Hamption, another young American that lost in the second round in Australia that they have never had a conversation with Serena. For some reason, it didn't surprise me.
This is a complete 180 from what happens on the men's tour when the likes of Andy Roddick, and before him, Pete Sampras and Todd Martin helped mentor younger players, even inviting them to their home to train.
"One of the problems, is Serena hasn't played Fed Cup in over four years," stated Smith. "There is a tradition of mentoring and being a hitting partner on the Davis Cup team, but Serena hasn't been there on the Fed Cup side." Smith hadn't heard of this recent article until I mentioned it to him during the discussion. he seemed saddened, but not surprised by these further developments. He also added that the only reason the Williams' Sisters have made themselves available for Fed Cup in 2012 is they have to play to compete in the Olympics. I'm sure the USTA also was not pleased when Serena was defaulted at the U.S. Open because of threatening a lineswoman.
Smith then gave a half-hearted smile when I told him what the last sentence in the USA Today piece said. It was the most telling statement to me, as Jamie Hampton said that maybe the men would take them under their wings. I'm sure if the girls asked, the guys would help out.