The Associated Press has named LeBron James and Serena Williams as Athletes of the Decade. They beat out Olympic gymnast Simone Biles as well as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The list also includes Lindsey Vonn and Katie Ledeck, who finished third and fourth, respectively. Men's athletes include Lionel Messi and Michael Phelps.
LeBron James
LeBron James is arguably the greatest basketball player, and he has also been a successful entrepreneur off the court. He also owns a small stake in Liverpool football team. He also launched a production company. Uninterrupted, his digital media company, is also owned by him. His many projects have resulted in an increase of his visibility. His goal is to see the Los Angeles Lakers return to glory.
James was named the AP Athlete of the Decade on Monday, beating out other athletes including Tom Brady, Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi, and Michael Phelps. As a controversial figure, James was the first star of the NBA to receive this award in 2010. After spurning the Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, he was viewed as a villain in the league, but he soon earned acclaim. He won the MVP award and was a winner of three NBA championships over ten years.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams, who has dominated tennis courts for the past decade and was named Female Athlete Of The Decade, has won the title. The vote was based on Serena Williams' achievements on and off court. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and was a mother for her first time.
Since 2007, she has won multiple singles grand slams. She also holds 12 Grand Slam titles. It is a feat no woman has ever achieved. She also holds the record of Steffi Graf's longest consecutive week at the top, being the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam Singles Trophy. Serena is also a finalist in 19 majors. She has won 37 singles titles.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has been called the greatest soccer player. Not only is he the best goal scorer in the history of the sport, but he's also one of the best dribblers, passers and free-kick takers. Messi's dominance is evident in many ways. He completes more dribbles per game, plays through more balls, and finds more passes into penalties than any other player. His dominance is so strong that he has been given the nickname Ruthian. Although it doesn't appear every dictionary, this word is used in sports pages as a description for Messi.
Messi is not only a top-flight soccerplayer, but he has received many other awards and honors throughout his career. He was twice named one of Time's 100 most important people in the world. Time magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential individuals in 2011 and Laureus World Sportsman of the Decade. His career earnings have exceeded $1 billion. Having started out at a Barcelona youth academy at age 13, Messi has gone on to win six La Liga titles, two Champions League titles, and five Copa del Rey titles.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympic swimmer of the past decade. His 22 Olympic medals, including eight golds at the 2008 Beijing Games, make him one of the most decorated athletes of all time. He has won more national titles and World Championships than any other swimmer.
His Olympic victories made him synonymous for swimming. Michael Phelps has not slowed down despite his absence from competition. He started a foundation to teach swimming to children and to promote the sport. He also devotes more time and effort to his foundation. It funds swim training programs, and teaches the basics. Old friends still send him text messages asking when he will return to competition.