Melbourne (AFP)
At 39 years old, Serena Williams will play her 20th Australian Open (February 8-21) with the hopes displayed of winning her 24th Grand Slam title to equal Margaret Court's record: a prospect "weighing" on her shoulders, she confided at a press conference on Saturday.
The younger of the Williams sisters has been stuck in 23 major titles since her victory at the 2017 Australian Open. She then played four finals (Wimbledon 2018 and 2019 and US Open 2018 and 2019) without success.
QUESTION: This 24th Grand Slam title, you think about it, it weighs on your shoulders?
ANSWER: "Of course I think about it and it weighs on my shoulders. And I think it's good that I have it in mind. But it's a load that has evolved, because I I'm used to it. It's less stressful. "
Q: You forfeited your Yarra Valley Preparation Tournament semi-final because of a pain in your right shoulder.
How are you feeling and how are you approaching the Australian Open from a physical point of view?
A: "I feel good. I have had a lot of treatment for my shoulder. But I am very confident and I am preparing, hopefully, for the next two weeks. It is certain that it is something. that I'm going to have to manage during the fortnight. But knowing that when entering the tournament, it helps. Because I know that, ok, I will have to add some therapy exercises after each match. I don't really have thought about the Australian Open when I retired (from Yarra Valley). I only thought about how I felt. At my age, with my career, I'm just trying to get there, see how I feel physically and not to take any risk for my health in general. "
Q: And psychologically, how are you feeling?
A: "I only think about one thing: doing what I do best. And at the end of the day, it's playing tennis."
Remarks collected at a press conference.
© 2021 AFP