The art of losing isn’t hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster…
—from “One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979)
At the French Tennis Open, Serena Williams’ outfit was adorned with these words: “CHAMPIONNE REINE DÉESSE MÈRE,” words meant to foster self-confidence, and improve her and other young women’s behavior in general. On the practical side it didn’t work, on or off court, as she lost in straight sets in the second round to the young American Sofia Kenin, and then got involved in a controversy when she was allowed or directed to interrupt Dominic Thiem’s press conference to give hers after her loss. Thiem (seeded #4) felt humiliated on international TV. Mats Wilander said Serena demanded an immediate conference; Roger Federer said she should have followed court etiquette even if directed (winners have precedence over losers in conferences because they have less time — they’re still in the tournament). Well, it’s murky. (Thiem lost in the finals to Rafael Nadal, winning a thriller in the semis against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.)
Serena has made other fashion statements, most notably her skintight black catwoman’s suit at the 2018 French Open. She wanted to look like a superhero, not a bad idea — she is a superhero! — though the French authorities banned it right away, even though it was designed to also help prevent blood clots after giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia. Serena was less well advised (I thought) when she appeared in a tutu-like outfit at the 2018 U.S. Open, where she played better, but didn’t behave better. She made it to the final, losing to Naomi Osaka while screaming at Carlos Ramos, a respected umpire, that he was a “sexist” and a “thief.”
Thinking about Serena’s encomiums to herself (in English: Champion, Queen, Goddess, Mother), I couldn’t imagine Roger Federer, Chris Evert or Arthur Ashe using them, so I turned, not unnaturally, to America’s great (champion?) poets. How would they handle these encomiums? Maybe like this:
Champion — Queen — Goddess
How Huge my — Talent — looms
Despite the stony Inches
Carved — Flyspecked — on my tomb
by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
I celebrate myself and sing myself,
King of Brooklyn champion of clay and the summer grass
And all games, tennis as well as handball and chess;
I can beat you like God beats Man but you too can triumph
Overall for every victory of mine as good belongs to you my brother
my sister and my Mother, but especially my brother…
by Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Well, I’m writing this surrounded by our son Tim, and his two sons, Tai (11) and Kai (9). Having them around clarifies which one of Serena’s four titles is the most important.
So dear lovers of Creative Loafing
Tom Tomorrow and all that’s brash
See my Laureate crown disrobing
thrown out with Thursday’s trash
No Champion Roi Dieu or Mère—
But our kids are home: I’m fine with Père
by Peter Meinke (1932-?)
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This article appears in Jun 13-20, 2019.