Serena Williams insists she is raring to go at the Australian Open despite having to pull out of a lead-up tournament due to injury.
The former world No.1 scored a three-set win over Danielle Collins at the Yarra Valley Classic on Friday before announcing her withdrawal from the competition later in the day. A statement from the WTA confirmed that Williams’ decision was due to soreness in her shoulder. Making it the second tournament in a row she was unable to finish after also pulling out of the French Open last October due to an Achilles injury.
Despite her latest setback, 39-year-old Williams says she is confident that it will not have a significant impact on her ability to play at the Australian Open which starts on Monday. The American will be seeded tenth in the Melbourne draw and faces the possibility of playing Aryna Sabalenka, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty to win the title.
“I feel pretty good. I’ve gotten a lot of treatment already on my shoulder,” Williams told reporters on Saturday.
“I’m super confident it’s going to be great. I’m feeling very confident and getting ready for hopefully the next two weeks.”
Whilst brushing aside her shoulder issue, Williams admits that it is going to be something she has to ‘deal with’ over the coming days with adjustments made to her post-match exercise regiment. Although she believes her knowledge of the issue prior to the start of the Melbourne major will work in her favour.
Williams is once again seeking to make history by winning her 24th Grand Slam title. An achievement which would put her level with Margareat Court for most major singles titles won in the history of tennis. However, her success in the majors has been limited in recent time with her last triumph being at the 2017 Australian Open. Since becoming a mother, she has reached four additional Grand Slam finals but lost them all in straight sets.
“It’s definitely on my shoulders and on my mind,” she commented about reaching the milestone. “I think it’s good to be on my mind. It’s a different burden on my shoulders because I’m used to it now. It’s more relaxing I would like to say.”
“I think at my age, my career, I really just try to go on how I’m feeling physically and not put myself in a bad position in general for my health.”
The first test for Williams at the Australian Open will be Germany’s Laura Siegemund. A world No.51 player who reached the quarter-finals of the French Open last year. The two met twice before with Williams winning both of those encounters.
“She has had lots of great wins over top players. She has a different game. She mixes up the pace a lot. It will be a really good match for me to get in there early and play my best,” she previewed of her upcoming clash.
This year will be the 20th time Williams has played in the Australian Open main draw in her career. Her record at the tournament currently stands at 87 wins to 12 losses with seven titles won. Making her the most successful female player at the event in the Open Era.
