Horse fans say ‘nay’ to Sportsperson of the Year decision

World number one female tennis player, Serena Williams has been named Sports Illustrated Sports Person of the Year 2015.

The top-ranked player in the world put together a historic 2015 season, coming within two matches of winning the Calendar Grand Slam and compiling a record of 53-3.

Sports Illustrated said nothing at the bottom of its ballot about choosing the victor of the fan vote as its Sportsperson of the Year.

In a powerful statement against racism, Williams also returned to play a tournament at Indian Wells, California, for the first time since 2001.

Past recipients of the award include Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Billie Jean King, while the last individual female athlete chosen was track star Mary Decker in 1983.

“This year was spectacular for me”.

I keep emphasizing that because there is a bit of an uproar over Sports Illustrated’s decision to give the honor to Serena. Williams, despite multiple injuries and illness, still achieved her second “Serena Slam”.

Her 21 Grand Slams in the Open era place behind only Steffi Graf (22) for the most all-time.

In addition, the commentary took a racist turn regarding the publication’s cover shoot, which showed Williams relaxing on the throne with a crown on her head.

But still, a lot of people really wanted American Pharoah to win the Sportsperson of the Year award.

Compare to Sports Illustrated’s case for naming Williams. After a historic year in which she won three Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams, 34, is capping off 2015 with another major victory: Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsperson of the Year” award! But the tennis professional’s glory is now being overshadowed by this simple question: Should Williams have won over a horse?

In a surprising twist, the winning nominee of the poll wasn’t even a person-it was the American Triple Crown-winning racehorse American Pharaoh.