Serena Williams came back to Wimbledon after pulling out of the French Open because of a pectoral injury. She gave us updates post-French, saying that she would probably be ready for Wimbledon. I had my doubts. I tried to manage my expectations, quite honestly. Yes, Serena Williams is Superwoman, but she’s also 36 years old and trying to come back after a life-threatening delivery which involved multiple post-birth surgeries. I would have been happy if Serena managed to win a few rounds. Well…
Serena won her quarterfinal match yesterday. In the four previous rounds, Serena didn’t drop a set, even if she occasionally looked a bit tired. In her quarterfinal against hard-hitting Italian Camila Giorgi, Giorgi picked up the first set. Serena stayed alert, she didn’t get down, she put her head down and weathered the storm. Errors came from both women, but Serena won the next two sets and the match. It wasn’t easy, but she came through. She’ll play crafty German Julia Görges in the semifinal on Thursday. Serena actually played Görges in the French Open this year, before Serena withdrew. Serena beat her in straight sets.
So… I think we can really start saying it now: Serena Williams is back. She’s a major contender. I shouldn’t have doubted her, but it wasn’t doubt so much as it was… just trying not to put too much pressure on her. It’s insane to think that she could be the favorite to win the title at this point, but here we are. If she wins her semifinal, she’ll face either Angelique Kerber or Jelena Ostapenko. Serena beat Kerber in the 2016 Wimbledon final. Ostapenko is the young one who won the French Open out of nowhere last year. I would be happy with either woman, but a bit part of me is really hoping for Ostapenko v. Serena. It would be epic.
This was a press conference she gave last week, which everyone was talking about. Around the 3-minute mark, Serena was asked about how all players try to bring their A-game when they play her, and she owns her own greatness. There’s also an excellent part in the last minute of this video where she names all of the now-retired players that she buried throughout her career.
Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News and Backgrid.
It’s wonderful seeing Serena getting back into her rhythm after all she’s been through. And glad she’s owning her greatness. Women are too often conditioned to not acknowledge their talents.
+1
you said it all. I love that she’s proud of her accomplishments, and her abilities.
I love how gracious she is when people ask her stupid/misogynistic/racist questions. I love how she doesn’t back down from those questions. I love how she will (RIGHTLY) call some of the press out for their questions. love her.
I appreciate that the guy actually asked the question in the first place. I think you can see that in her expression, too. She doesn’t get to hear enough outright compliment of her talent.
The top ten seeds have already been eliminated, so I think she’ll win.
I can see Kerber beating her though,thats why I want Ostapenko instead!
I have said before on here that I don’t follow tennis and don’t really know the rules (I mean I know who Serena is, and Federer, and Nadal, and Murray….and that’s it? Oh and Venus.) Anyway. So I was watching at the gym yesterday and couldn’t figure out sets vs matches and what all the points in the upper left meant, so I got stressed that she was losing and had to leave.
LOL. I don’t know any of the rules or players really but I still got stressed at the idea that Serena would lose. Rational!
Serena is a master class for women, especially women of color, in confidence and psychological resilience.
YES she is SO inspiring. You worded it perfectly, confidence and psychological resilience. She has the mind of a champion
Please don’t say it!!!!!
Don’t you remember the USO 2015??!!!! The potential CYGS?!!!
The semifinal against Vinci? We all just assumed Serene had it in the bag and then …..BOOOOOM! Devastation!!!!!!
I want Serena to win it all but the remaining players are all quite dangerous.
I am still cautious.
But IMO this Wimbledon has been a success whether or not she wins the title, she’s definitely back. And considering the situation, that’s a major accomplishment.
Serena has a great chance at winning, but even if she doesn’t this is amazing. She had a complicated pregnancy with 2 surgeries afterwards and a new mother to boot. Most women, world class athletes or not, are not doing anything close to this less than year a later. I want to celebrate her now, not just cause she wins. The top 10 women are all out, but Serena is still there. She is truly amazing.
+100! The love she has for her daughter just radiates through her. I watched an interview recently and when she talked about Olympia, she just glowed. It’s a beautiful thing.
Serena, you are already a winner and badass woman, no matter what.
Serena has already won. Coming back after life-threatening complications from the birth of her daughter only 10 months ago and making the Wimbledon semifinal is awe-inspiring. Who other than Serena has the physical and mental stamina needed to accomplish it? That said, I will be gutted if she doesn’t take the Venus Rosewater dish once more. I am so invested in her knocking the vile Margaret Court off the top of the Grand Slam winner’s list.
I had to look her up to see the controversy. God, what an asshole.
“Serena has already won”
I agree!
Please don’t jinx. Kerber is looking strong this year and Serena had a slow start last match.
I just don’t want to jinx.
I second this. PLEASE don’t jinx!
I’m superstitious too. Again, this is why I won’t mention the World Cup either.
I just watched an intereview with Serena, and she is such a lovely, humble person. Go Serena!
I recorded the match because it’s during work hours and was living and dying by the online live updates. What an awesome match. The stars are aligning for her to win, but to me she won already since she made it this far. Everyone in the top 10 is out!
Everyone who whined that she didn’t deserve her Wimbledon placement because she is currently not in the top ranks can eat their hat.
GOD I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could honestly cry when I think about her winning it. She is such an inspiration.
Can I just say that I haven’t been liking her tennis outfits. I do like the fish-net (tights? leggings?) she’s wearing but all of these long sleeves are giving me heat stroke. I’d be stripping down to my sports bra after 20 minutes.
Other than that….Go Serena!!!
Serena!! You are THe Queen!!!! Wimbledon final or bust!!! lol