Serena Comes to D.C.
Your newest Top 4 D.C. athlete. (Getty Images)
A while back I created a list of D.C.'s six biggest pro athletes, judged on a combination of fame, fan favoritism and widespread familiarity. My top three were Arenas, Portis and Ovechkin.
I can't say for certain without putting more thought into it, but at the very least there's a fourth name that now needs to enter that competition. At some point today, the new Washington Kastles of World Team Tennis will announce that Serena Williams is joining the franchise for its debut season. Now, the super celebrity "marquee" players usually don't play in every WTT match, depending on their tour responsibilities. Still, Serena will represent a D.C. pro sports franchise at least a few times, and she thus qualifies for this list.
And most recent results are completely irrelevant; in one of my key tests--would the athlete cause a stir by simply strolling down K Street at 1 o'clock on a Tuesday afternoon--Serena blows the field out of the water. Kastles owner Mark Ein is scheduled to appear on Comcast SportsNet's Washington Post Live this afternoon; hopefully Russ Thaler will ask him where Serena ranks. I think she's second, behind only Gilbert.
By Dan Steinberg |
February 19, 2008; 3:35 PM ET
| Category:
Wizards
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Posted by: Jim Zorn | February 19, 2008 03:56 PM
Comcast SportsNet? Is that anything like Comcast SportsyNet?
I think Serena may even beat out Gilbert.
Posted by: Kim | February 19, 2008 04:01 PM
Kim, that's sacreligious! Take that back!
:)
Posted by: James | February 19, 2008 04:05 PM
Ein is going on SportsyNet? Now he'll have an excuse for showing up in the second quarter tonight!
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | February 19, 2008 04:09 PM
you know, other than being busy making millions of dollars.
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | February 19, 2008 04:11 PM
I was hoping for a big name, but Serena is serious talent. Who is hosting the painted courts? Why is the draft on April 1? That just seems like a cruel joke.
Posted by: sitruc | February 19, 2008 04:33 PM
What's a Katsy? and Where's our poll?
Posted by: WaPoLiveFan16 | February 19, 2008 04:45 PM
I think Kserena will be kgreat for this kteam.
Posted by: Andrew from Colonial Hoops | February 19, 2008 04:51 PM
Didn't the whole Gilbert on a Bike saga last summer prove that Gilbert doesn't make a big commotion when going down K Street in the lunch hour? Or am I remembering this wrong?
I second Kim's take.
Posted by: DC Centurion's Shield | February 19, 2008 05:13 PM
But can she run a deep post?
The Skins in a two TE set could dangerous next season...
Posted by: ScottVanPeltStyle.com | February 19, 2008 05:23 PM
not unless she gets healthy and in shape....she was a wildeberast for the last major in australia....and lost UGLY
Posted by: unc1dmo | February 19, 2008 07:00 PM
I'm looking for the one - have you seen her? My psychic told me she's going to have a derriere like Serena. Or perhaps she is Serena. Either way.
Posted by: Lindemann | February 19, 2008 08:17 PM
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Great! We could use her too!