One of the highlights of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC), which kicks off on Thursday, December 27, will be Serena Williams playing against her sister, Venus Williams, in an exhibition match. Serena played French Open Champion Jelena Ostapenko at the event last year, which was the first time the tournament introduced women's tennis to the line-up.
Ahead of the match, Serena Williams speaks to The National about the evolving role of women in the field, her eponymous fashion label and facing her sister on court.
How do you balance on-court rivalry with your sister Venus, and still maintain a normal sibling relationship?
It is never easy playing your best friend … she really knows my game inside out, and has been so successful over me so many times. She is my role model, sister and best friend all rolled up in one, but as I’ve said before, she really brings out the best in me.
What drives you at this point in your career and how do you handle the pressure that comes with being a top-class athlete?
There is always a goal. It is not about setting goals to beat; it’s just about, for me, doing something that I completely love. That is what keeps me motivated. Pressure is never easy. But I have learnt that it is a privilege, and I would much rather have the pressure that comes along with the privilege than not have any pressure at all.
The WTA has announced that it will offer greater rankings protection to mothers returning to the tour. Having been unseeded for some events, what are your thoughts on this ruling?
It is amazing to know that by speaking out I can use my voice to help others. I am so happy that the WTA created this new rule. Women should be able to have families and still work, not only in tennis but everywhere.
Serena with her daughter Olympia and husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian:
Is there greater equality in the sport since you started playing?
Of course. Time changes all things. There is still a way to go, but so many pioneers before me have been able to make a lot of changes and pave the way for players like me.
The Williams sisters in Abu Dhabi
The Williams sisters are two of the most powerful sportswomen in the world today. Older sibling Venus, who will be making her MWTC debut tomorrow, is a seven-time Grand Slam champion and has won four Olympic gold medals, while 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena was voted Women’s Tennis Association’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 following the birth of her daughter in September last year. She is, undoubtedly, one of the world's greatest athletes of all time.
According to Vickie Gunnarsson, event director at MWTC: "Having the most powerful sisters in the game come down and play means a lot to us. Not only does it make for an exciting match, but it also helps pave the way towards promoting women in sports even further in the region. Serena and Venus Williams are iconic names in tennis, and their collective efforts have encouraged countless young girls to pursue a sporting career.”
Tickets to MWTC cost from Dh100, and are available on www.ticketmaster.ae, by calling 800 86 823 and all Virgin Megastores in the UAE
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Read more:
Hasn't Serena Williams earned the right to wear whatever she wants?
How I came back from two sets down to beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon: Kevin Anderson on his biggest win in 2018
Mubadala World Tennis Championship: Complete player guide as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams head to Abu Dhabi
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
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Arrogate's winning run
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2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
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- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
