It was more than two decades ago when Serena Williams played her first professional match as a 15-year-old in Canada. In that match against fellow American teenager, Annie Miller, she only managed to win only two games. Since her humble beginnings as a pro, Williams has tallied up 23 Grand Slams singles titles – and with that, she is considered by many as the greatest female tennis player of all time.
In terms of Grand Slam singles titles she trails only Margaret Court, who has 24 to her name. The American tennis superstar has had opportunities to tie Court’s record recently but has come up short in each of her last three Major championship matches.
Williams’ most recent opportunity came at Wimbledon but she ran into Simona Halep who played an almost flawless match. In fact, the 27-year-old Romanian said it was the best match she’s played in her entire career.
After her straight sets loss to Halep, the 37-year-old mother of one acknowledged that her tennis journey has entered a new phase.
“In my 20s, I’m always expected to win, but it’s a different circumstance for me. Seems like every Grand Slam final I’m in recently has been an unbelievable effort to get there. It would be interesting to see how it would be under different circumstances,” Williams said.
Williams also acknowledged the need to play more matches and tournaments as a way to be sharp in the key moments.
“I just have to figure out a way to win a final. Maybe it is playing other finals outside of Grand Slams would be really helpful just to kind of get in the groove so by the time I get to a Grand Slam final I’m kind of used to what to do and how to play,” she noted.
In Toronto, at the Rogers Cup, she powered her way to the finals against Canadian teenager, Bianca Andreescu. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the result she was hoping for. While trailing 3-1 to Andreescu in the first set, Williams was forced to retire due to back spasms.
“Just my whole back just completely spasmed – and to a point where I couldn’t sleep and I couldn’t really move,” she revealed in her post match presser.
“I don’t want to get this far and not at least try. I think I would have really regretted not at least going out there and seeing maybe if a miracle happened,” she added about her decision to play in the championship match in Toronto.
“I’ve had this before and it’s, like, 24, 36 hours where I’m just in crazy spasm and then it’s, like, gone. And so that’s a little bit frustrating for me because I know that I could play. I just can’t play today.”
Right after Williams’ retirement was announced in the match, she was visibly very emotional, and that’s when her 19-year-old opponent walked over to offer some kind words of support. Footage of their candid encounter has gone viral on social media.
When asked what she said to Williams, Andreescu replied:
“You are a beast. You’re going to bounce back. You’ve dealt with so much in your career, this is just a minor setback for a major comeback, I’m sure.”
The thought on the minds of many of her supporters – and tennis fans in general – is how will her health hold up when she steps on the tennis courts for the last Major of 2019 at Flushing Meadows? As well, is this latest disappointment in Canada just another precursor of more great things to come for the 23-time Grand Slam champion? These questions will be answered shortly as she kicks off the 2019 US Open with a blockbuster first round match up against five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova.
Just one Grand Slam title away from tying Margaret court, can the 37-year-old Williams win that elusive next Major? Williams shared her thoughts on the best way to handle the added pressure of chasing down history at Wimbledon after her Championship match.
“Someone told me I shouldn’t look at the records any more. I should just focus on my game. That’s kind of what I’ve been doing since I got to 18,” said the former world No. 1
“In the meantime, I got pregnant, had a baby, so… That definitely plays a little bit into it,” Williams continued.
“I feel like I’m just really on this journey of just doing the best that I can, playing the best that I can when I can.”
An important part of William’s tennis journey comes over the next two weeks in New York where she will need to stay healthy and play her best tennis. Provided Williams can do that, she definitely has the mental toughness and other key intangibles to chase down that elusive 24th Grand Slam.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
