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O f the many remarkable qualities that Serena Williams exhibited in a career that began in earnest when she won the first of her 23 major titles 19 years ago, her deep and deep emotivity leaves her the most lasting impression
. He will be exhibited again at the Center Court on Saturday. The proud new mother, champion of causes and collector of titles who evolves in her sweet sport like a lioness will surely cry, regardless of the result of her final against Angélique Kerber. Success in tennis has always meant more to younger sister Williams than to Venus, who insists that Serena had to fight harder with lesser gifts while they both stood up from public courts of Compton, Los Angeles
Her autobiography, Queen Of The Court, Williams says that she often takes notes with her in a match – not just reminders of strategies or tactics but epigrams of who she is, the essence of the real Serena, as opposed to the performer. "Show no emotion, black UR and U can endure anything, support, persevere, stand up straight, be strong, be black, now your time is shining, be confident, they want to see you angry. Be angry, but do not let them see it. "
It's a raw thing. In 2015, when she had the grand slam calendar within her reach, she crashed into the finish line, losing in the semifinals of the US Open, where she had won his first major at 17 years old. The opportunity and the price has overwhelmed. She worried too much. She insisted after winning Wimbledon this year that she was not thinking about slam. She was. Almost every day.
Now, at age 36, she says that she feels free. Asked after her semifinal win against Julia Görges on Thursday, she replied: "To be perfectly honest, I did not think about this tournament … not even once in fact. I probably forgot. "
This time, it's easier to believe it. Williams' life, so long defined by her achievements on a tennis court, now encompbades others – her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their 10-month-old daughter, Olympia. Throughout the tournament – all summer, in fact – his press conferences were celebrations rather than the grumpy grunts in which they often fell in the past. She was expansive, relaxed and happy. Suddenly, potentially lethal blood clot trials before, during and after emergency cesarean delivery in September are a bad memory. She can still smile and cry if she wants to.
But this is not just Serena's show. Kerber has its own story of ups and downs. During her 2016 season, she reached the third slam semifinal of her stopping career by defeating Johanna Konta, before winning the final of the Australian Open against Williams and became the first German champion in 17 years. However, her first major let her spend and she lost in the first round (ignore the byes) five times in a mysterious slide that was properly stopped when she arrived at Wimbledon, where Williams took her beaten in the final.
that year by winning the US Open and eliminating Williams as the world's number one. Everything seemed to be fine. But the inconsistencies and injuries hit in 2017 and, at the Open de France, she became the first world No. 1 to lose in the first round, ahead of the queen of the giant killers, Ekaterina Makarova. She also lost in the first round of the US Open, falling into the top 20 and it seemed like her career was in free fall. She separates from her coach, Torben Beltz, and talks with former Konta mentor, Wim Fissette.
She has since rebuilt her career, as the fighter she is. Recognized as one of the best defenders of the Tour, she arrived at Wimbledon in a healthy and healthy form, and managed to cross the draw with inconspicuous efficiency. The top 10 was disintegrated in the quarterfinals, leaving Kerber leading the tournament, although no one claims that the world number 181 (ranked 25 here) through the net is judged by these numbers.
looks strong. She is leading the tournament table for an incredible 88%. But she faces the biggest server in the history of women's football. Williams hit 44 aces (only after Görges) with a right shoulder that collapsed on her as recently as the French Open, forcing her to leave after three rounds. The American hit 119 non-recoverable services by 237, 20% higher than the tournament average, winning the point 80% of the time at first serve.
They are more than numbers – like rankings and rankings. They are the meat and potatoes of the game. It's a collision between the best server and the best receiver, a contest that will be decided by something more, an intangible inner strength. Both have it. Williams can have more.
Because Williams, for all that she happily found away from her job, is, first and foremost, a tennis player – the best ever, according to Roger Federer – and she means business of the first balloon for last.
"To serve, to serve, to serve," goes another of his sticky notes in his kit bag. Focus, focus, focus Be confident, be confident, be confident, stand by, hold, hold, move up, attack, kill, smile. "
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