Kerron Clement: Who I most admire
World 400m hurdles champion Kerron Clement chats to spikesmag.com about how the multiple Grand Slam winning tennis superstar Serena Williams, who is currently in action at Wimbledon, has proved such an inspiration for his track career.
“I would say
I admire Serena Williams. She is a fighter, no matter what. If she’s down a set she always seems to fight her way back to win the championship.
I love watching tennis, I love to watch Federer, James Blake and Andy Murray. I just love watching the sport.
I recall one game when I was at college; Serena came back to win the championship from one set down. I can’t remember who she beat, but it was like “wow”! She fought her way back, she just doesn’t give up.
It really motivated me to win and to keep going, every single time I step on the track.
Serena is very aggressive. I like people who just fight for what they want. If I ever met her I would ask her about her mental preparation. I’d ask her what she thinks about during a competition when she’s one set down and how she copes in those circumstances. I’d also ask her about her next steps.
I would also ask for tennis lessons, because I need the practice. I had a friend at the University of Florida that used to be a tennis player and she took me out on the court and whipped my behind. She was really good and although I was fast around the court my co-ordination wasn’t too great.”
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