Serena Williams: The American Powerhouse – Part 2
Continuing, in 2009 Serena Williams outplayed Dinara Safina in the final to take home the Australian Open; she then went on to playing sister, Venus in the final at Wimbledon, where she won the title. Thus, regaining her
title as former world number one, she went on to winning four more WTA doubles titles, including three grand slams and became the first female professional tennis player ever to surpass USD 6 million in prize money for a single season.
Serena reached her sixth top 5 season in 2010 as she won back-to-back; the Australian Open and Wimbledon, achieving her 12th and 13th grand slam titles. However, due to a serious right foot injury, she
had to withdraw from all her post-Wimbledon events. Following her injury, she was pushed to the sidelines and spent most of the season in rehabilitation, realizing she isn’t invincible.
Nevertheless, Williams came back in 2011 after her longest layoff to defend her title at Wimbledon but lost to Marion Bartoli in the fourth round, which resulted in an all time low of world number 175 in the WTA rankings.
Subsequently, she took time out to get back in shape.
Not ready to throw the towel, she re-emerged at Stanford in her vintage form and became a title holder after she avenged her loss against Marion Bartoli in the final.
Like a kid in a candy store, Serena could not contain herself and flew to Toronto for the Rogers Cup. There she ousted many top players like Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, and closed the deal when she reached the final
defeating the Aussie Samantha Stosur, to hold the accolade at the end, along with a super hard court tournament under her belt.
Evaluating her participation in the US Open; the prodigy (Serena) played her first US Open in 1998 and the last in 2009, playing throughout the years excluding 2003 and 2010. Although, she had an early round exit in 1998,
in 1999 she defeated the former world number one Martina Hingis in the final to take the crown. She repeated the endeavour for another two times; once in 2002, when she defeated Venus Williams and the third time was when she outplayed Jelena Jankovic in 2008.
A runner-up at the 2001 US Open was in the best of 8 during 2000, 2004 and 2007 and became a semi finalist in 2009, as her road to successes was cut short by Kim Clijsters.
Analyzing the laureate’s career, one can clearly agree that Serena Williams completely changed the visage of women’s professional tennis and even after extended absences, she came back as a champion. This alone atones that
she should be feared and for some just mentioning the name is a mental block, while for others; she is a milestone. Funny, since the icon has no such problem and is not browbeaten by anyone, instead, has a tough mental perspicacity that is unmatched by any
other player.
Tennis comes naturally to Serena and is a powerhouse of cross court shots along with, well placed volleys that only a few can return, she knows her game like the way she uses her forehand and backhand.
Beaming with self-confidence in every match, in actuality it doesn’t matter if you have never challenged or beaten her previously. For her, every match is a new meeting, a new beginning.
In the end, the thirteen time grand slam winner is seeking salvation and will prove to the world that she will go the distance. Serena Williams is a true champion and understands competition in its purest form. Surviving
serious health injuries, midsummer lapses, she is one lioness who knows how to hunt her prey and is capable of dominating any player, on any court, on any surface.
Tags: