Basketball superstar LeBron James and tennis legend Serena Williams were selected over the weekend as The Associated Press’ male and female Athletes of the Decade.
The selection of James, 35, who won three NBA championships, three league MVPs and an Olympic gold medal over the past 10 years, was announced Sunday, while Williams, whose countless accolades over the decade include 12 Grand Slam singles titles and winning gold medals at the 2012 Olympics, was selected one day prior.
Williams, 38, also became the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam singles trophy. She ultimately racked up 37 singles titles, 11 more than anyone else in the decade.
“She’s been my idol growing up,” Simone Biles, AP’s 2019 Female Athlete of the Year, said of Williams in statement. “She’s remained humble. She’s stayed true to herself and her character and I think that’s really neat about an athlete. Once you start winning, some get cocky, but she’s stayed true to herself, win or lose.”
