Relief for Serena
Serena Williams is willing on the pressure. She said she almost wanted it.
At 36, now a mother to daughter Olympia, and with 23 Grand Slam singles trophies to her name, motivation to win, understandably, might be getting a little harder to come by these days.
Williams admitted she has felt less pressure on court since her comeback from maternity leave. Life was good now and after the complications she endured giving birth, she had gained a whole new perspective.
Just one Slam title shy of Margaret Court’s record, however, there is still motivation at play to add a bullet point to that pages-long CV.
Only a day out from her first match at the All England Club since she claimed her seventh Wimbledon title in 2016, Williams tweeted: “In this moment, 22 was the greatest feeling, but ultimately getting to 23 was even better. Never let anyone put a limit on how far you can go.”
Great feeling
On Monday, having arrived at Wimbledon ranked No.181, but elevated to No.25 in the seedings, she gave her first indication on just how far she might go at Wimbledon 2018 with a tough 7-5, 6-3 victory over left-handed world No.105, Arantxa Rus.
“I don’t know if I’m relieved or more motivated, I’d say, but I’m happy to get through that,” Williams said. “She played unbelievable today. I’d never seen her play like that. You’ve got to be ready for everything. I didn’t play my best but I’ll get there, I’ll just take it one match at a time.
“It’s a great feeling. It’s been a couple of years since I played on grass the last time. It’s definitely different so I’m trying to find my bearings out there.”
After Williams secured the early break in blustery conditions on No.1 Court, Rus used her swinging lefty serves and dogged retrieving to make life difficult for the seven-time champion, getting back on serve to stand toe to toe with her opponent to 5-5.
In her comeback Grand Slam tournament last month, there was a point where the American bellowed in celebration after winning a point against Ashleigh Barty in the second round. It proved the spark she needed and the turning point to come from behind to win that day.
Against Rus, that vocal spur came in the 11th game of the opening set. With Williams serving at 5-5, 30-30, the screams grew louder and the fist pumps more prolonged as she kept her nose in front for 6-5. She broke one game later, though she was none too impressed with her first set exploits, shaking her head in frustration at the change of ends.
Rus, who had only passed the first round at SW19 once in three main draw appearances, was handling the windy conditions better early in the second set and consolidated a break for 3-1.
Five straight games
If Williams wanted pressure she suddenly had it. A third set was not what she had in mind if she was to see her daughter before her bedtime.
She kicked back into gear to reel off five straight games to book a place in the second round. It took six match points to see off the Dutchwoman but the job was done.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Williams said of seeing her daughter after the match. “I’m going to try to make it home before she has to go to bed.”
