After vacationing in Greece, 23-time major champion Serena Williams is back on the training track. Serena joined her sister Ella Venus in Washington, though we won’t see her at the Citi Open next week. Williams is due to compete in Toronto between August 8-14, taking a wild card and signing to play in only her second singles tournament after Wimbledon last year.
The veteran made a surprising comeback at Eastbourne in June, competing in the doubles draw alongside Ons Jabeur before entering her 21st Wimbledon. The seven-time All England Club champion suffered a tough 7-5 1-6 7-6 loss to world number 115 Harmony Tan in three and a half hours.
115 in the world, Harmony Tan, in three hours and 11 minutes in the opening round. Williams served out the win in the closing stages of the third set and opened up a 4-0 lead in the match’s tie break. She ran out of steam and squandered those opportunities to hit the starting gate against the Wimbledon debutant.
Williams found the better game of hers in the second set and had a chance to emerge on top in the decider and move closer to her 100th Wimbledon win. Instead, she let the tie break of the match slip away 10-7 to propel her rival.
Serena won five more points thanks to the second set, but it was not enough to propel her, despite the support of the public. The American suffered an early break in the first set before stringing together four straight games to make it 4-2.
Tan took charge of the situation, breaking and securing another game back at 5-5. The French player saved a break point in the twelfth game to clinch the first set and gain a boost.
Rusedski reflects on Serena
Although Serena Williams has struggled with injury and form, Greg Rusedski believes she could end her career on a higher at Flushing Meadows.
“You can’t go on forever, I mean you’ve got to think about it, the first Slam that she won was in 1999 which is 23 years ago. That’s an incredibly long career and it is impressive,” he stated. “Never discount a great champion.
The players are starting to beat her because she hasn’t had enough tennis but she’s got the greatest serve of all time in the women’s game, no question about that. If she catches a h*t streak, she could retire in the same way that Pete Sampras did by winning his last major he ever played in, which was the US Open in 2002.
So, don’t discount Serena or great champions at their peril. I think she has one [major win] in her in New York. It was great to see her win her opening match in Canada and if she can get on a roll a little bit, win a few matches and get a little bit of momentum, anything can happen.
Let’s not forget, she’ll be on Arthur Ashe stadium for every match she plays and when you have 20,000 people cheering every ball it’s very daunting for your opponent”.
