Serena’s still leader of this tennis generation
year, upsetting German veteran Mischa Zverev in the first round before pushing then 28th seed Lucas Pouille all the way in a gruelling five-setter in the third round.
The Australian young gun said he wanted to continue to build on his momentum from last year despite a first-round exit to Serbian Laslo Djere at the Adelaide International one week ago.
“I think 2019 was a good year for me,” he said.
“It (Pouille game) was one of my favourite matches I have ever played, even though I lost, it was an unbelievable match.
“I came back from two sets to love down, and it was the first time I ever did that, the first time I have played a fivesetter. So it was a great experience for me and I’m excited to go out there and hopefully I can have a similar performance.”
And Popyrin is clear on his battle plan for tomorrow’s clash against Tsonga.
At 196cm, the big-serving rising star wants to push the tempo from the start.
“I think come forward and push to the net more – that is a big part of my game,” he said.
THERE’S reality. And then there’s “Serena Reality”.
Such is her power the 38-year-old Serena Williams spent the summer doing everything from training with undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson to having karaoke sessions with house DJ Bob Sinclar in the south of France.
This week turns to more serious matters – winning a record 24th grand slam title.
Melbourne-based tennis coach Mark Hlawaty knows the many sides to the star better than most, having served as Williams’ hitting partner in Australia for almost a decade.
His ability to mimic the style of Williams’ next opponent – and challenge her – were assets that the power hitter had liked, and goes to show what Hlawaty describes as an “extraordinary” commitment to success.
“To do something extraordinary, you’ve got to be extraordinary,” he said.
“And you’ve got to be able to run your life in an extraordinary manner.”
Australian Sam Stosur, three years Williams’ junior at 35, is a card-carrying member of an exclusive group on the WTA Tour – players who have defeated the champion in a grand slam final. There’s not many in the crew – only seven other than the Queenslander, who took down Williams at the 2011 US Open.
“She’s arguably the best female player of all time,” Stosur said.
“She’s got a presence out there. She’s an incredible athlete, and Venus as well.
“Her and Venus have grown the sport like no tomorrow over their longevity and everything that they’ve been able to achieve.
“It’s pretty cool to have played in the same era as them and I wish a couple of those Wimbledon doubles finals I wasn’t playing against them because it would have been nice to get one of those.”
If she does lift the Daphne Akhurst
Memorial Cup in 12 days – a campaign which begins today against Russian Anastasia Potapova – Williams would equal the record set by Australian Margaret Court, though Stosur does not believe the American’s legacy will be defined by the number.
“If she does or she doesn’t, I don’t think it matters,” she said.
“We all know what she’s done and her career is not going to be any less if she doesn’t get it, in my opinion anyway.”
Should she salute, Hlawaty said Melbourne’s dancefloors might have to watch out.
“You’ve got to celebrate the victories, and that’s something that she did with her team,” he recalled.
Lauren Wood
SHE’S ARGUABLY THE BEST FEMALE PLAYER OF ALL TIME. SHE’S GOT A PRESENCE OUT THERE. SHE’S AN INCREDIBLE ATHLETE.