Athletes Who Made TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2013

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Lebron James
by Derek Jeter






I’ve had the chance to meet LeBron James, and I know he’s a Yankees fan. I also know it must be tough to root for the Yankees while living in Miami and Cleveland.

The first thing that strikes you is his sheer size and athleticism. Another thing, he’s down to earth. Most people in LeBron’s position aren’t as grounded as he is. He hasn’t forgotten where he comes from, and he’s given back so much to Ohio and Akron, his hometown.

LeBron cares deeply about these places, and that says a lot about him.



LeBron never takes a play off. His all-out effort is what stands out when you watch him. Whether his team is up 20 or down 20, LeBron is playing like it’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

His dedication, devotion and focus have won the admiration of fans — and his athletic peers. He’s someone anyone, in any profession, can look up to. Set the bar high for yourself, like LeBron does.









Mario Balotelli
by Gianfranco Zola






Mario has all the qualities to be a top player: power and athleticism, alongside a good understanding of the game — all positive.

I worked with Mario for a short period with Italy’s under-21 side. I liked him straightaway. I liked the way he handled himself and his composure and calmness in situations. Mario could shrug off things happening around him. Only the big players have that calm.

Mario can play the big games and handle the crucial moments, but he needs to keep control. That is vital for him.



From afar, people may think he’s a madman, but he isn’t. Mario is a lovely guy, very humble and very funny. I can assure people he has always been a pleasure to deal with. He has returned to Italy from England as the main man with lots of attention.

Now he has to ensure he keeps control and keeps focus. Mario loves the pressure, but to succeed, it is about finding balance.









Lindsey Vonn
by Danica Patrick






I met Lindsey a few years ago at the ESPY awards, and it’s been great to see the success she has achieved: four world overall ski championships and Olympic gold. We can relate to each other because our sports are so similar, given the speed involved and the concentration level required. There’s an immediate level of respect when you meet someone who knows what you go through.

Both of our sports are amazing on television but better experienced in person. When you see what we do up close, you get a better understanding of how on the edge we are all the time. One-tenth of a second can be the difference between 20 places on the scoreboard, so every lap or downhill run, you’re as close to out of control as you can be.

We’re witnessing history with Lindsey’s accomplishments. She again won the World Cup downhill crown this year despite a season-ending knee injury in February. We should all wish her a speedy recovery so she can wow us again when she returns for the World Cup season and the Sochi Olympics.









Li Na
by Chris Evert






Li Na is a maverick. Who else would stand up to the centralized Chinese sports system as Li did, back in 2008, when she pushed for more control over her career? Li persuaded the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) to start the “fly alone” policy, which gives players more independence.

Now they keep more of their money, giving just a fraction of their earnings to the CTA, compared with the bulk before. Rather than let the bureaucrats pick her coach, Li went with Jiang Shan, who is now her husband. Li has soared. She’s ranked fifth in the world and won the 2011 French Open, becoming the first Asian-born player to win a Grand Slam singles tournament.

Tennis has exploded in China. The country now has some 15 million tennis players; 116 million people watched Li win the French Open. That kind of exposure is crucial to our sport, and it never would have happened without Li. At tournaments, I’ve seen her charm the crowds. When she smiles, everyone melts. She’s such a breath of fresh air.

And like Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova before her, Li Na has transcended her sport.

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