LeBron, James, and Serena Williams are the Athletes to the Decade according to the Associated Press. They beat out Olympic gymnast Simone Biles as well as New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Lindsey Vonn's and Katie Ledeck's finishes are also included in the list. Men's athletes include Lionel Messi (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 is his digital media company. His numerous projects have helped him gain more visibility. His goal is to help the Los Angeles Lakers get back to the glory days they once had.
James was named the AP Athlete of the Decade by Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi and Michael Phelps on Monday. As a controversial figure, James was the first star of the NBA to receive this award in 2010. He was initially viewed as a villain by the league after he spurned the Cavaliers to sign with the Miami Heat. But he quickly earned praise. He was the MVP and won three NBA titles in a row.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams' dominance on the tennis court has earned her the title Female Athlete de Decade. AP's sports editors and beat writers picked her in a vote based on her achievements on and off the court. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, became a mother for the first time, fought against racism and sexism in the athletic community, and became a role model for young women.
Since 2007, she has won multiple singles slams, claiming 12 Grand Slam titles, a feat no other woman has ever accomplished. She also holds the record for the most consecutive top-ten weeks, tied with Steffi Graf. Serena is also a finalist in 19 majors. She has won 37 singles titles.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest soccer player ever, is undoubtedly the best. He is the greatest goal scorer of all time, as well as one of the top free-kick takers, passers, dribblers and passers in soccer's history. Messi has more dribbles and passes through the penalty box than any other player. His dominance is so complete that he's earned the nickname Ruthian. Although it doesn't appear every dictionary, this word is used in sports pages as a description for Messi.
Messi has won many awards and honors in his long career, not only as a top-flight football player. He's been named to Time's 100 most influential people in the world twice. Time magazine in 2011 named him one of the most influential 100 people in the globe, and Laureus World Sportsman of the Decade was awarded to him in 2020. His career earnings exceed $1 billion. After starting at a Barcelona youth school at the age of 13, Messi has since won six La Liga titles, two Champions League title, and five Copa del Rey championships.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps was the most decorated Olympic athletes of the 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 also holds the record for winning more national titles, World Championships, and World Championships than any swimmer.
His Olympic victories made him synonymous for swimming. Michael Phelps, despite his prolonged absence from competition has not let up. He founded a foundation that teaches kids how to swim, and promotes the sport. His foundation, which provides funding for swim training programs and teaching the basics to children, has been more time-intensive. He still receives text messages from old friends who ask him when he'll come back to competing.