When it comes to sports communication, how do we know if we are still in the 20th century? Very simple: the fact that the champions obey without flinching when a photographic staging is suggested. This gave more or less kitsch images, but we guarantee that on both sides of the lens, we had fun. By way of comparison, in 2022, if a photographer dared to ask Naomi Osaka to pose without a makeup artist or hairdresser, he would certainly go straight to the box.
The Williams sisters of the last century, at least, are not stubborn, while their status of emerging stars allows them to play it cool. For example, at the time this picture was taken, Venus, then 17, had just won the Key Biscayne tournament against Anna Kournikova. She was ranked 11th in the world. And Serena, who almost won in the quarterfinals against Martina Hingis, the best player at the time, is already 40th. At 16 years old. Not bad, right? Well, to reiterate, when these two great hopes of women's tennis are asked to pose in fireman's uniforms, not only do they do it, but they do it in a good mood.
The captain of a Miami fire station had asked their father during the tournament: "Say, Richard, could your kids come and give us a hand? We've got a lot of fires right now, and people aren't careful enough with the smoke detectors."The dad: "Yep, no problem, we'll do it for you."And the teens put on their suits and helmets, and spontaneously pass the message to the local Miami TV station that came for the occasion: "And above all, ladies and gentlemen, don't forget to check the batteries in your home smoke detectors!"
Did this session make a particular impression on the younger Williams? Do you know where she celebrated the fifteenth Grand Slam of her career, the 2012 US Open? In a New York City firehouse. True story.
Bruno Garay
