430 days. That is the time that Serena Williams had to wait to win an official match again and break a fast that had become unbearable for her, despite her few appearances on the major circuit between 2021 and 2022. The American champion, who seemed to be in good condition despite her legitimate mobility issues, managed to find the right solutions against Spain’s Parrizas-Dias, a player decidedly more used to clay than hard.
Thanks to the support of her serve and, of course, her first two strokes, which continued to be of an extraordinary level, Serena was able to return to the second round at the ‘1000’ in Toronto. “She had forgotten what it feels like after a victory.
I am happy to have done it. It’s no secret that I enjoy myself on and off the court, although I wasn’t sure I’d be able to play here [in Toronto, ed] again, I was happy to be able to share a tournament with my sister again,” she explained.
A good physical condition, she said, demonstrated especially in one of the key moments of the match, in the heart of the second set. “I feel good right now. Obviously I’m fighting to get to a level where I can always feel comfortable on the track.
I feel like I can get there, but there’s still a long way to go. Every day that passes I am aware that I have to give 100% in training and then take that work to the pitch point by point. It’s not easy, but I’m doing my best to achieve it,” the 23-time Slam champion explained with great honesty.
Serena, an icon on and off the court, obviously also dwelled on the power that she has developed over the last twenty-five years in the lives of all fans. “For me it’s a real honour.”
Serena Williams is a true legend
“No question about it, Serena Williams is the greatest male or female tennis player at the moment.
She has the most majors in the Open Era, you’ve got to look at the depth of the game and the generation she’s gone through as well,” former British No 1 Greg Rusedski told Sky Sports News. “Maybe she doesn’t have the record of 24, but what she’s accomplished as well as her back story to achieve what she’s achieved.
No question about it. She is a complete athlete. She’s box office. She’s carried women’s tennis for the last two decades with her sister Venus as well, you’ve obviously had other great players around them, but she brings your non-tennis fan to the sport.
If you know absolutely nothing about tennis, you know the name Serena Williams. She’s iconic and we’re losing an icon of our sport and she will be truly, truly missed”.
