Serena Williams received 66 of 158 editor votes this Tuesday, becoming the Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year. Though 66 tallies may not seem like a lot, it was actually a landslide since no other candidate got more than 18 votes.

Re-establishing herself as one of the best female tennis players in the world, Williams played hard through 2009 and was just as emotionally-invested as she was physically. For example, a tirade aimed at a line judge after a foot-fault call at the tail end of her U.S. Open semifinal loss in September cost her $82,500. Luckily, that episode takes nothing away from her talent and if anything, shows how passionate she is about the game.

“I’m just happy and blessed to even be playing seven years later. All this is a bonus, really,” she said. “In 2002, I just was really dominant, and I think in 2009, I just brought that back. I kind of became that player again.”

The 28-year-old American also won the AP award in 2002, creating a seven-year gap which is the longest stint between Female Athlete of the Year honors since Patty Berg won in 1943 and 1955 for her outstanding golfing abilities.

Tiger Woods won the honor for men this year, despite his failing at life outside of golf.