With already 23 grand slam titles under her belt, Serena Williams isn’t just aiming to return back to the top of her game. She wants to take it to an entire new level.
The 36-year-old continued her French Open campaign yesterday with a three sets win over 17th seed Ashleigh Barty. It marked only the second time Williams has won back-to-back matches since returning to the tour after giving birth. Roland Garros is only the third tournament (not counting the Fed Cup) she has played in this season and her first on the clay.
“I felt like it’s been a long way and a long journey, and I’m still getting there. But I have been working really hard for a really long time.” She said during her press conference on Thursday.
“I just am hoping that every day I’m out there, every match I’m out there, hopefully it will come together.”
Admitting that there is still a way to go until she reaches her top form, Williams has set herself some big goals. Not only is she two major titles away from becoming the most decorated female in grand slam history, she wants to improve her level of play further on the tour. To date, Williams has won 72 WTA titles and has spent 319 weeks as world No.1.
“The good news is I feel like I’m definitely going to get there. And I don’t want to get there, I want to get beyond there. I don’t want to limit myself. That’s what I want to look forward to doing.” She explained.
“I have definitely always had that will to win. It was something I was born with. I want to be able to do my best and one day tell my daughter that I tried my best.”
The next task for Williams will be Germany’s Julia Goerges, who defeated Alison Van Uytvanck in two close sets at the French Open. The former world No.1 leads their head-to-head 2-0, but they haven’t played each other since 2011. Despite her recent absence from the tour, Williams kept a close eye on her German rival whilst pregnant.
“She’s been playing really, really well, and I have actually been watching her play a lot when I was pregnant, because she’s been winning a lot and they show a lot of her matches.” Williams said of Goerges.
“It would be good to play her. Every round for me is just an opportunity to go out there and do the best that I can do, and whether I win or lose, that’s what I’m out here to do in this tournament.”
Williams, who is a three-time French Open champion, is making her 67th appearance in the main draw of a grand slam event.
