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LONDON (AP) Serena Williams repeats it again and again: Wimbledon is only his fourth tournament since returning home after having a baby
"Whenever I go out, I want, I suppose, take a giant step forward, "she said. "Keep going giant steps, but keep improving."
Williams played a total of seven games in 2018 before arriving at the All England Club, and she will play her seventh game in the last two weeks when she will meet … Angelique Kerber, d & # 39; 39, Germany, Wimbledon final on Saturday
The 36-year-old American certainly has not been slow in putting her game on the line and getting closer to what would be an eighth Wimbledon title, a record of Martina Navratilova, and the 24th Grand Slam trophy in all, equaling Margaret Court's mark.
Only half a year ago Williams had much more serious concerns.
After giving birth to her daughter, Olympia, on September 1, Williams treated health complications that included blood clots and led to what she said were multiple operations.
"Almost did not, to be honest," 2, 6-4 win in semifinal against Julia Goerges, 13th seed
She wears compression leggings during her matches by precaution and says that she remains nervous.
"I mean, even this week, I had a sore leg and I went to the worst case scenario." Oh, my God, I have a (pulmonary embolism) in my leg, "Williams said." I did not know that I would have such traumatic thoughts. Especially now that I have a girl, I want to be there as long as possible to support her. It's interesting to see how mental recovery takes a lot longer than I would have ever imagined. "
Tennis came naturally, not surprisingly.
She left the tour for over a year after her Australian Open title in January 2017 – she won while she was pregnant, she revealed later – Williams came back for the first time in doubles with her older sister, Venus, for the Fed Cup team. United States in February Then came the return of singles at Indiana Wells in March, when she won her first two games before losing to her brother.
Next was a defeat in the first round in Miami.
"I honestly thought I would have done better in some of the first tournaments. That was the hardest part – accepting that I did not, "said Williams." I know it sounds weird, but I've worked a lot and worked hard. .
After another two months of competition, she entered the French Open at the end of May and won three matches before going out Williams was rested after that, only practicing not at all service for a few weeks, and was able to calm down after the start of Wimbledon because of a draw that allowed him to avoid playing top seeded opponents. – or anyone who ranked in the top 50, from elsewhere – until Goerges, who debuted in the Grand Slam semifinal.
Now will come the toughest test on the Williams field: Kerber, former No. 1 and two defending champion with a clumsy move and a relentless defense on the ball
Williams was 23-6 in Grand Slam final, and Kerber is responsible for giving him one of those few defeats, at the 2016 Australian Open Kerber also won the U.S. Open this year, replacing Williams at the top of the WTA rankings right after. It was also the year Kerber reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Williams in two sets.
They have faced each other eight times in the past, and Williams leads 6-2
Semifinal against Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-3, Kerber was asked what she sees through the net when she runs into Williams.
"I see a champion," says Kerber, "it's safe."
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Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich
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This AP Tennis Blanket: https://www.apnews.com/tag/apf- Tennis
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