It’s one of my favorite times of year — the US Open.

I’m hoping that Serena and Roger win.

I want Rafa to make it to the finals and to prove that he can be successful outside of Roland Garros — that is, on surfaces other than clay — but I like Federer’s race to be the best of all time, and the elegance, good-naturedness and cool-minded efficiency with which he pursues his goal.

It’s likely that Roger will win another title. He’s the seemingly perfect tennis player. No weaknesses. Loves to win.

Serena Williams, on the other hand, has the potential to be one of the greatest female champions ever. The New York Times says that she is “dangerous when interested.” She already has 8 grand slam titles, which puts her in pretty elite company. But apparently, she has not lived up to her full potential, because she has been trying to balance her professional life with other interests and a personal life. Chris Everet, a former tennis champion, once wrote an open letter chasting Serena for not being a better tennis champion by devoting herself single-mindedly to her sport. People apparently don’t like the fact that Serena tries to have a life.

People also criticised Tiger Woods when he decided that he wanted to get married and have a kid. Apparently, a family would be a distraction to his game. People were sympathetic, however, when he took a few months off to mourn his father’s death from cancer. Tragedy makes for a compelling story. Personal happiness is more annoying and above all selfish.

Once you have already earned millions of dollars and realized let’s say 75% of your potential, is it a crime to want to enjoy it — even if that means losing a little bit of the edge that made you such a great competitor?

Or do you owe it to yourself — and to your place in history, if that concept makes any sense — to singlemindly and selfishly exploit your potential and “self-actualise” 150%?

Or to put it in the terms that Chris Evert suggested to Serena Williams, when you have been blessed with amazing opportunities and unique talent, is it selfish to pursue personal happiness over professional glory?