Serena Williams resumes the hunt for the darn 24: "She's absolutely the level"
While the men are still waiting for the restart, the women’s tour is already in full swing. Serena Williams is now back in action - the US superstar has a big goal in mind.
by SID
last edit: Aug 11, 2020, 09:24 am
The pandemic has made Serena Williams wary. Whereby being careful is an understatement. "I have about 50 masks that I travel with, I never want to be without one," said the US superstar - health is above everything, including sports. "It's cool to play tennis," said the 38-year-old, who is particularly at risk from a 2011 pulmonary embolism, "but it's about my life and my health, so I was a little neurotic. But I have to be now. "
But since Williams cannot be without tennis, she will be on the professional tour again on Tuesday (local time) in Lexington / Kentucky for the first time after a six-month break. And the corona crisis has made them not only cautious, but also inventive.
Full focus on New York
Williams had her own fitness studio built at home in Florida, and she even equipped her private tennis court with the hard-court surface that will also be played at the US Open (from August 31st) - provided the controversial tournament takes place . The measure shows that their focus, unlike some torn professionals, is clearly on New York. After all, Williams wants to fulfill a dream there that she has been chasing for so long.
"I can imagine it all when it takes place," she said at the weekend, when asked about a start in Flushing Meadows and also at the French Open (from September 27th). Williams has already won 23 Grand Slam titles in singles - but with the darn number 24, the setting of the best mark for Australian Margaret Court, it just doesn't work for so long.
Last appearance in February
Williams had reached four major finals since the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia in September 2017, four times the longed-for 24 was within reach - but four times she failed just before the goal, including in 2018 in the Wimbledon final against Angelique Kerber. "I think she has the same chances that she has since the birth of her daughter," said Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou of the New York Times about his protégé's prospects at the US Open: "She is absolutely the level."
Williams had her last match so far in the Fed Cup in early February, and now she can show in Kentucky how well she survived the break. Because while the men are still waiting for their restart, the women’s tour is already in full swing. Compatriot Bernarda Pera is waiting in the first round of Lexington, after which it could come to a "sister act" with her two years older sister Venus.
Serena Williams doesn't want to look too far ahead anyway, as the pandemic taught her too. "I'm just thinking, 'Just let me work this day and see what happens,'" she said. And maybe the longed-for Grand Slam title will jump out.