Hitting with Serena

Here's the inside scoop of what it's like to be Serena Williams' hitting partner -- a video interview with Bajin Aleksander.

A Serb growing up in Munich, Bajin Aleksander’s dream was to be a professional tennis player. He never quite achieved that dream, but Aleksander says his current job is the next best thing: working as Serena Williams’ hitting partner. Video interviews with Aleksander mixed with still photographs highlight this New York Times package. It’s clear Aleksander enjoys his job as he describes how hard he works to help hone Williams’ skills, how he keeps her laughing off the court, and the thrill of riding in private jets and rubbing elbows with celebrities.

Length: 2:47

Video: Jigar Mehta & Erik Olsen

Photography: Marilynn K. Yee

VIEW: http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=1614ac8eea656342ee694a75d7fb9b9317afaf04

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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/sports/tennis/28serena.html