Spanish
Oviedo, Spain... The American tennis legend Serena Williams was enthusiastically received this Thursday in Oviedo, where tomorrow she will receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports 2025 for her extraordinary professional career and her commitment to gender equality.
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During a press conference at the Hotel de la Reconquista, Williams expressed her admiration for the Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, whom she described as "a young player with a bright future." "I am a huge fan of Carlos. When he plays, I call him and say: 'How well, I was cheering for you!'", stated the former world number one, convinced that the Murcian can reach the records of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
With 23 Grand Slam titles, 73 individual tournaments and 4 Olympic gold medals, Serena Williams is considered one of the best tennis players of all time. Retired since 2022, she highlighted that her career was driven by the discipline instilled by her father and coach, Richard Williams, and that tennis allowed her to "learn, grow and build a legacy of equality." "I have always cared a lot about the legacy I would leave," the champion assured, underlining her commitment to equal pay between men and women and her desire to serve as an inspiration to new generations of athletes. The winner of the Princess of Asturias Award was emotional about the recognition: "I am impressed and honored. When I found out, I couldn't believe it. I thought: Am I the winner?". Williams also said she enjoyed her stay in Spain and praised its culture and gastronomy. The American will participate this afternoon in the meeting “Serena, Legacy and Legend”, moderated by Olympic champion Theresa Zabell and former tennis player Feliciano López, members of the award jury. The Princess of Asturias Award for Sports will be presented tomorrow at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo by Princess Leonor, in a ceremony presided over by the King and Queen of Spain.
