Winning in women's singles felt surreal. I felt that everything I had done - the hard work, the tough times - was all worth it.

He picked up one of Lorna's roses and set it in my lap. "Here." I picked it up and smelled it. He poked me in the shoulder. "See what I mean? Thorns don't stop you from sniffing. Or putting them in a vase on the kitchen table. You work around them.... Cause the rose is worth it... Think what you'd miss.

I still have a tendency to sit back and wait out the bad things that try and take over my life.

We've had some tough times, but we've hung in there.

What I am suggesting is hard work and it can be slow work, but the rewards are well worth it.

I'm thankful because all the hard work and sacrifices were worth it in the end.