Serena Williams, Sore Loser?

Here's Serena Williams speaking just moments after losing to big sister Venus Williams in the Wimbledon singles final:

Serena obviously wasn't happy that she had lost, but she was perfectly pleasant in answering questions, there and in other interviews on Saturday. So I've been surprised at how many people have referred to her as a "sore loser," suggesting that she isn't gracious enough in defeat.

ESPN.com even has a piece up in which the Williams sisters' mom, Oracene Price, says she'd like to see her youngest daughter deal better with losing:

For her mother's part, however, she believes it's time for Serena to grow up and experience a reality check on life in the real world.

"Well, you know, she's going to have to learn how to suck things up," Price said. "[She needs to] say, 'OK, I'm not going to win everything. This is going to make me a better person. This will build character for myself and I have to learn how to lose. I might not be happy about it, but I just have to go on, go on and say, you know what, I didn't get this one, but I'm getting the next one.'"

I really have no problem with the way Serena acts after a loss, either to her sister or to anyone else. No, she doesn't always answer every last reporter's question after she loses, but she doesn't unleash profane tirades toward reporters, either. Just because she's unhappy after she loses, that doesn't make her a sore loser.

Serena Williams

Lisa Raymond right, of the US and Australia's Samantha Stosur hold their runnerup trophies aloft after losing the women's doubles final against Venus and Serena Williams of the US on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 5 , 2008. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Serena Williams right, and her sister Venus embrace after their win in the Women's Doubles final against Australia's Samantha Stosur and Lisa Raymond of the US on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Serena Williams right, and her sister Venus celebrate after their win in the women's doubles final against Australia's Samantha Stosur and Lisa Raymond of the US at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Serena Williams, left, and her sister Venus celebrate after their win in the Women's Doubles final against Australia's Samantha Stosur and Lisa Raymond of the US on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Serena Williams left, and her sister Venus celebrate after their win in the women's doubles final against Australia's Samantha Stosur and Lisa Raymond of the US at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

LONDON - JULY 05: Venus Williams of United States and Serena Williams of United States celebrate match point and winning the women's doubles Final match against Lisa Raymond of United States and Samantha Stosur of Australia on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 5, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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