SERENA WILLIAMS HAS claimed 23 grand slams during an illustrious career but the American superstar ranked Tuesday’s Australian Open first-round rout of Tatjana Maria as the “greatest win of my career”.
Former world number one and this year’s 16th seed Williams flexed her muscles in a 6-0 6-2 demolition of German Maria at Melbourne Park.
Williams was back in Melbourne for the first time since winning the 2017 Australian Open – the 37-year-old skipping last year’s event following the birth of her daughter.
And veteran Williams, who is seeking an eighth Australian Open title, revelled in the result afterwards.
“I think the last time I was here I was actually pregnant and playing at the same time,” Williams said in her on-court interview.
“It was weird walking out here on my own this time. It is great to be back. That was literally the greatest win of my career.”
Williams produced a merciless performance on Rod Laver Arena, sailing through to the second round in just 49 minutes.
She completely overpowered Maria, highlighted by a devastating 18-minute opening set, which yielded nine winners.
Williams also tallied 24 points compared to Maria’s five, before her beleaguered opponent managed to snare two games in the second set.
In her post-match news conference, Williams – who refused to comment on last year’s infamous meltdown in the US Open final – told reporters: “I didn’t make too many unforced errors.
“She’s a tricky player. Could have been easily a 6-3, 6-4 match or three-set match. She’s been able to beat top players, number one and two, so she knows how to play. I think always when I have a tougher round or I know someone that’s really good, I really want to be focused, and then that was really helpful for me today.”
Williams unveiled a new eye-catching green bodysuit in Melbourne, where she was also wearing compression stockings.
Asked if she was still worried about the thrombosis issue revealed in 2011, Williams said: “Definitely still concerned. I have had some issues, and they’re not done. So, it’s just something I just have to do for pretty much probably the rest of my career, we’ll see. But I’m always at the doctor.
“With DVTs, it’s very scary. I know a lot of people – they’re very common. A lot of people have them. Especially for me it’s incredibly frightening. I lay on the side of precaution as opposed to not.”
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He should be rediscovering his form & fitness with Munster not with the national team. Shouldn’t be a separate rule for him no matter how good he is at his best. Just lowers squad standards….
@ℝ: Who should be in the squad ahead of him, do you think? Marmion is barely back from injury and McGrath is still out for a few more weeks.
@Conor Matthews: Cooney and Blade, the two form Irish scrumhalves by a country mile… and especially for the Italy game. The pace the pair play is perfect for an ireland game to run Italy ragged, and test their fringe defences as unlike Murray both delight at sniping runs at defences. Cooney may be light on Caps but he has loads of experience having played for three provinces and excelled at all…
Yep, no sympathy for Murray or Sexton, thats 2 games they havent performed. Get in the queue and earn your places again boys. And this is why Joe should be rotating the squad more often. Like it was mentioned above, get your game time at the provinces…..and then bring that game to the national team, if youre good enough. Class is permanent, Joe says, yeah but who puts BOD (no disrespect meant) in at 13 these days. Form…form…form
@Trev: sexton was poor v England but he was running the game v Scotland until he got injured. We’d have won by 30 if he’d have stayed on.
@Chris Mc: complete tosh. Apart from the assist to stockdale sexton was bang average. Kicking out of hand was poor and his kick from the tee was embarrassing. He wasn’t as poor as Murray but don’t kid yourself if you think he’s in any better form. Last decent shift sexton put in was against NZ for club and country.
@Chris Mc: yes he got injured, is that your or my fault? No. As the saying goes……youre only as good as your last game. He’s had 2 now, & so has Murray. There is plenty of class waiting in the wings (but thats another discussion)…
Just re-read the headline, that is just pish! Either he can play at the highest level or…he cant. Simple until he gets back up there. But do not waste international minutes on him on the off-chance that he is going to take another 10 or so games to rediscover his form. Same with Sexton….Joe its time to start cracking the whip!!!
@Trev: I think Joe Schmidt will start Sexton and Murray.I also think he should
I’d really like to see the other players get a chance to prove their worth under pressure. What is going to happen in the RWC if a key member gets injured? The tournament is beyond Ireland realistically, so give Carbery etc starting roles. We don’t want a repeat of player burnout before the finals stages
Murray’s been way off it the last number of games ever since Exeter visited Limerick. Hope he rediscovers but can’t be at the expense of Ireland.