Serena Williams scoops AP Female Athlete of the Year gong for a fifth time

WTA Tour
Serena Williams fist pump

She didn’t mark her comeback season with a Grand Slam title, but 2018 still proved to be a remarkable season for Serena Williams with the American being named The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for a fifth time.

After giving birth to her first child, daughter Olympia in September last year, Williams marked her professional return in March and played in her first Grand Slam in more than a year when she competed at Roland Garros.

At the same Roland Garros, she also made headlines for wearing a catsuit, not only because it made her feel like a superhero, but also due to health reasons as she has a history of blood clots.

By July she was back in a major final, however she lost the Wimbledon showpiece match against Angelique Kerber while she was also finished runner-up at the US Open to Naomi Osaka.

She finished 2018 at No 16 in the world rankings and on Wednesday she was named Female Athlete of the Year again having previously scooped the award in 2002, 2009, 2013 and 2015.

The 37-year-old received 93 points in balloting by US editors and news directors with American gymnast Simone Biles second with 68 and Notre Dame basketball player Arike Ogunbowale third.

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