As also reported by the Times of India, Serena Williams talked about the Slam record, still belonging to the Australian Margaret Smith: “She surely weighs on my shoulders and my mind. It’s a good thing that I’m thinking about it. I’m used to it by now.”
The absolute record for the highest number of Major trophies won in her career still belongs to Margaret Smith Court, who won the last one in 1973.
Discussing her retirement from the Gippsland Trophy instead, the eldest of the Williams sisters said: “I believe that at my age and at this point in my career I just have to keep playing according to my physical condition, I don’t have to put myself in a bad situation to my health.”
Serena also spoke of the harsh quarantine in Melbourne in recent days: “Actually, I didn’t let myself be influenced too negatively. I realized that my life is like a big quarantine too, since there are few times I leave my home.”
It wasn’t that different from what I normally do. The only difference is that I was forced to do so, having no other options.
I think it was the best choice for all players.” Champion of 7 editions of the Australian Open, Serena will face the German Laura Siegemund in the first round: “She has won many victories against great players,” the former world number one said of her.
“You have a different game. She changes the pace a lot. It will be an excellent match for me and I will try to give my best.” As for the German player, Laura has never played the fourth round in Australia.
Serena Williams in action
Engaging in the WTA 500 Gippsland Trophy in Melbourne, 39-year-old Serena Williams overtook Daria Gavrilova, Tsvetana Pironkova and Danielle Collins before forfeiting and not taking the field for the semi-final match, which would have seen her opposing Ashleigh Barty.
The last act will now be between the Australian and Garbine Muguruza, who had already shown in Melbourne that she could do well last year.
