Asheville: American tennis star Serena Williams has spoken out about the ‘ups and downs’ she faced during her year away from competitive tennis but insists that she’s now focused and ready for her quest to once more dominate her sport.
Speaking ahead of her comeback at the Fed Cup here, where the US will begin the title defence against an unfancied the Netherlands team, the 36-year-old said she had the benefit of a new outlook following the birth of her baby daughter Alexis Olympia in September last year. “There have been a lot of ups and downs in the practice,” Serena told reporters Friday.
Though Serena boasts a strong Fed Cup record, with a 13-0 singles mark that includes winning 26 out of her 28 sets as well as a 3-1 doubles record, she wasn’t named as the US’s first or second singles player in a team which includes her elder sister Venus, World No.17 CoCo Vandeweghe and World No.62 Lauren Davis.
Serena had initially targeted last month’s Australian Open crown for a defence of her 2017 crown, but abandoned that goal after declaring that she is not fully fit for the tournament.
While she bids to emulate Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters in winning a Grand Slam title after having a child, she acknowledged the path had not been straightforward and credited her sister with making it possible. “I have a great partner and relationship with Venus and she has been really, really positive,” Serena added who is one less than Court’s all-time record for 24 Slam singles titles.
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