Serena Williams has said she is ‘optimistic‘ about what lies in store for her during the rest of the season after going out of the French Open.
Williams crashed out in the third round on Saturday after suffering a 6-2, 7-5, loss to compatriot Sofia Kenin, who was not overwhelmed by the significance of the occasion. Williams, who was playing in only her 12th match of the season, lacked consistency on the court. Occasionally hitting errors due to some poor footwork. In total she produced a total of 34 unforced errors in the match, which was double that of Kenin.
“I think she played really well.” Said Williams. “I feel like she, in that first set in particular, hit pretty much inches from the line, and I haven’t played anyone like that in a long time.”
During what was her 17th appearance at Roland Garros, Williams has been far from her best at times. Fighting back from a set down to dismiss Vitalia Diatchenko in her opening match, before breezing her way past Kurumi Nara. Williams considered skipping the tournament this year after being sidelined by injury. Hurting her ankle during the Australian Open in January. More recently, she withdrew from the Italian Open due to her knee.
“I’m just pretty far away, but that’s the optimistic part is I haven’t been able to be on the court as much as I would have.” The 37-year-old explained to reporters in Paris.
“That’s okay. At least I can start trying to put the time in now.”
To lose in the third round of a major is a rare occurrence for the American. The last time she did so was back in 2014 at the Wimbledon Championships. Since the birth of her daughter, Williams contested two grand slam finals last year and reached the quarter-finals in Australian in January. However, outside of the majors, she hasn’t gone beyond the quarter-final stage since winning the 2016 Italian Open.
Eager to turn her recent misfortunes around, Williams is hoping that she will be able to capitalize on the momentum she gained during the 2018 season.
“I feel like I had some great runs last year and I’m hoping to still build on that this year and keep it going.”
Fortunately for the world No.10, her next mission will occur on the grass. A surface, she relishes. Williams is a 7-time Wimbledon champion and has won 92 out of 103 matches played there. In the Open Era, only Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer have won more titles than her at The All England Club.
“Yeah, I’m definitely feeling short on matches, and just getting in the swing of things. I don’t really like playing out points when I practice.” She explained.
“I have some time on my hands, so maybe I’ll jump in and get a wildcard on one of these grass court events and see what happens.”
Williams’ 2019 season so far
- Hopman Cup – Teamed up with Frances Tiafoe and won all three of her singles matches. Defeating Belinda Bencic, Maria Sakkari and Katie Boulter.
- Australian Open – Drops one set against Simona Halep on route to the quarter-finals. Lead Karolina Pliskova 5-1 in the final set, before losing 4-6, 6-4, 5-7.
- Indian Wells: Retired from her third round match with Garbine Muguruza due to illness.
- Miami: Defeats Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson before withdrawing due to a left knee injury.
- Rome: Defeats Peterson again in her opening match before withdrawing due to her knee.
- French Open: Score wins over Diatchenko and Nara, before losing to Kenin in round three. Her earliest exit from the tournament since 2014.
