‘Been a tough season for me on the clay, but I love playing on the surface’: Serena Williams

‘Been a tough season for me on the clay, but I love playing on the surface’: Serena Williams

Serena Williams

23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams was stunned in the fourth round by Elena Rybakina at the 2021 French Open yesterday. The American, who lost 6-3 7-5 to the Kazak player hasn’t made past the round of 16 at Roland Garros since 2016. The three-time French Open winner once again was deprived from equaling Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles.

The American legend had won just one match on the clay in 2021 before she came to Paris. Speaking about her tough experience on the clay for the year, she informed the reporters at the post-match press conference.

“I am in a much better shape, than when I got here. Been a difficult season for me on the clay, but I love playing on the clay and I was like if I could just win a match. Definitely it was a close match, point here and there. It’s just that I am not winning those, but that can change everything.”

‘Not thinking about retirement’: Serena Williams

Serena Williams
Serena Williams

Serena will turn 40 in September, and there is lot of uncertainty on whether she will make a return to the French Open or not next years. When quizzed about the same, she responded, “Yeah, I’m definitely not thinking about it at all. I’m definitely thinking just about other things, but not about that.”

The super-mom will now move towards the grass season, where she will be one of the big contenders to win Wimbledon, given her grass court skills and record. The All England Championships will commence on June 28. It also remains to be seen where she plays the warm-up tournament before the third Grand Slam.

“I’m kind of excited to switch surfaces, but historically I have done pretty well on grass,” said the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion, who first won a title at the All England Club in 2002. However, her last victory at the famous lawns of England came in 2016.

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