With the new year in full swing and the first Grand Slam underway, it’s about time to take another look at Serena Williams’ quest for that elusive 24th Grand Slam title. Can she do it in Melbourne? Or will she have to wait until Wimbledon?
The desire is there
Last year, we discussed how we felt that perhaps Serena wanted that record-equaling title just a little too much. As we said then, there’s no doubt that she is quite possibly one of the greatest tennis players of all time. But in her own mind, she’ll never be the best until she beats Margaret Court’s all-time record.
The desire to prove to both herself and the tennis-loving public that she is the best is certainly there. Unfortunately, this desperation is what hindered her last season and saw her lose her cool on several occasions. But what about this time around?
A different mindset
Anyone who watched Serena win in Auckland could see that the talent and hunger is still evident in her game. However, we think that there may be a slight change in mindset as she takes on a new season.
Last year, Serena was desperate to equal the record and then beat it. She seemed to treat every Grand Slam as her last chance which suggests that she may have been planning to retire had she broken the record. Of course, she’ll deny this to the hilt, but it’s possible.
With the season just beginning, she seems to have lost that desperation that was there last year. This could be down to a personal decision to keep playing until she finally breaks the record. If this is the case, then there’s no impending retirement looming and she can simply get back to doing what she does best – winning matches and enjoying her tennis.
Her chances this season
Photo Could Serena break the record on home soil?
A look at the odds for the Australian Open would suggest that Serena is a shoo-in for her 24th Grand Slam in Melbourne. If you’re inclined to put your money on her then online odds comparison service Oddschecker recommends using a bonus bet with Sportsbet. And to be honest, having seen her performance in Auckland, we imagine that it’s a pretty safe bet.
However, to dismiss her competition out of hand is harsh on the likes of Osaka and Pliskova who have just as much a chance as Serena. In fact, if fate puts Osaka and Williams together at any stage in the tournament, we fancy the Japanese world no.3 to win.
Then there’s the question of the air quality in Melbourne right now. Serena needs complete focus if she is to win on Australian soil and the talk of poor air quality and the bushfires could prove to be a major distraction.
If she fails to win in Melbourne, she’ll have another few months to prepare for the French Open. The problem here is that, although she has three titles to her name, the French Open isn’t the happiest of hunting grounds for her. Add to that the fact that there’s a lot of tennis to be played between now and then and we suspect that she’ll have a better chance of glory at Wimbledon.
Just a few weeks after the French Open final, Wimbledon gets underway and many experts feel that this represents Serena’s best opportunity to add to her Grand Slam tally. Playing on grass will suit Serena better this year as age has limited her ability to compete at the same consistent level as in previous years. If we were backing her to win any Grand Slam this season, this is the one we’d go for.
Her final chance at glory will come in the US Open at the end of the summer. It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen here, but if things pan out the way we believe they will, Serena could be playing for a record 25th Grand Slam in what could be the final major tournament of her career. It only sweetens the deal that it’s on home ground.
So can she equal the record? Well, if anyone can, Serena can. The only question now is when.
Main Photo from Pixbay
