Serena Williams lost the love of her life on Tuesday, and for perhaps the first time in her professional career, she has everyone's sympathy.
The No. 1-ranked female tennis player posted a video on SnapChat about her 16-year-old dog Jackie, telling her fans that the dog was very sick and on its deathbed, TMZ Sports reported.
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And a couple of hours after posting that video, Williams gave an update that "Jackie" had died.
"My special friend in which I got at 17 (2 weeks before I won my very first Grand Slam) left me today," Williams posted on SnapChat, via TMZ. "She was 16 years young and up until a few days ago was still sprinting. Her poor body gave out this morning and she had a way of telling me it was time for me to be brave and let her go.
"With my dad by my side we were able to say a loving goodbye. She was with me from 1999 until today and I miss her so much.
"I got out of the shower this afternoon and she was not there to lick my leg as she always did everyday to remind me how much she loved me. I feel so lucky to have such a special friend. Give your dog, cat, pet a big hug. #breakingheart #bff Jackie Baila Pete Williams I will miss you and your memory will live forever."
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A visibly shaken Williams referred to Jackie as the "love of my life" in the video, giving fans a glimpse of her personal life that the normally guarded tennis star does not show.
Williams' dominance over women's tennis, plus her sometimes-frosty relationship with the media and refusal to share any of her personal life with her fans, has made her out to be somewhat of a villain. Her touching tribute to her dog should endear her more to tennis fans who might have felt a disconnect with her before. At a time where her lack of endorsement deals compared to Maria Sharapova have become a controversial topic, her willingness to let fans in should do nothing to help her image.
In no way was Williams trying to advance her image with the video of her dog and subsequent news of his death. But hopefully, she'll understand that prospective fans will feel more of a connection with her when she lets them in.
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