“American superstar Serena Williams may have won a third straight Grand Slam title with style and precision but she got her timing all wrong when she turned up an hour late for her press conference – after she couldn’t resist shopping,” reported the South China Morning Post on September 14, 2002.
“Williams was due to appear before the local media at 3pm yesterday at a Hong Kong hotel to promote her special appearance at Victoria Park tonight, but she kept them waiting until 4pm while out on a shopping mission.
“‘I just got back and I was just looking. You can call it pre-shopping. It’s been set up and the next thing is to actually purchase,’ said the world No 1, who arrived early yesterday morning with her mother Oracene and personal trainer Kerrie Brooks for the event billed as ‘Serena Williams Live’.
“Williams, who beat her elder sister Venus in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows, has always had a taste for shopping and she wanted to make the most of her trip here. ‘I love Hong Kong. This is the third time I have been here. The people are very nice and welcoming and I feel it is a very warm place to be. I can’t stay here long enough. There’s not enough time for shopping,’ she laughed.