Serena,

Congrats on your engagement!! I grew up watching tennis with my Mom's best friend and why I consider you my all time favorite athlete. She watches every single tennis match she possibly can, scheduling her limited vacation times around tournaments just to be able to watch every match. She dropped out of high school almost 35 years ago to support her family and works 70+ hours a week, sacrificing her health and free time to support them. One year she was lucky enough to win store of the year for the restaurant she manages and got to choose anywhere in the world she wanted to go and she chose the US Open. She had the time of her life getting to watch you and her "boyfriend" Rafa play.

Just this month she lost her dad to a heart attack and her sister to pneumonia. I just got home from her sisters funeral an hour ago. As you can guess it has been an awful Christmas season for her. Is there any way you could either send her a card or tennis ball to cheer her up? She waited for hours at the US Open to try and get her ball signed but couldn't get to you. I hope one day after college I will be able to take her to as many tournaments as I can, I would truly do anything for her. If you need proof of anything I would be more than happy to message you privately.

Thanks for giving me something to bond with her over the years and congrats on your new engagement! I know she'll be happy for you too!