And it came to pass that in the year 2015 Serena Williams became Sports Illustrated's first solo female Sportsperson of the Year in more than three decades. (Here's to you, Mary Decker.)
As this year winds down, the news and accolades surrounding Serena Williams keep ramping up. The WTA tour's Player of the Year has claimed that particular title in four consecutive years, part of what SI's S.L. Price terms her "tyrannical three-year reign" as the sport's No. 1 star. Away from the courts, she lit up Vogue's April cover, perhaps incited even more of a riot with a certain New York magazine picture, and even danced with the GOP's leading presidential candidate in waiting, one Donald Trump. (She also took a taxi cab to the finish of her own Ultimate Run in South Beach last weekend, but small matter.)
Williams was her usual loquacious self about this SI award, sharing a photo to her social media channels and writing, in part, "As I always say, it takes a village it's not just one person. This is not just an accomplishment for me, but for my whole team. I am beyond honored. I love you guys! 2016? #letsdoit"