After baby steps, Serena eyes giant leap in Wimbledon final Unfinished classic match between tennis’ finest stars
LONDON – Serena Williams was reduced to tears by her daughter Olympia’s first steps at Wimbledon, but now the seven-time champion is planning a giant leap of her own in Saturday’s final against Angelique Kerber.
Just 10 months after giving birth, Williams can complete an incredible comeback as she bids to become the first mother to win the tournament for 38 years.
Williams is playing only her fourth tournament since Olympia’s arrival in September andis now just one win away from her eighth Wimbledon title.
That would make her the first mother to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
Serena can also equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles if she beats Kerber.
Court and Kim Clijsters are the other mothers to have won major titles – making Serena’s presence in the final even more incredible given the difficulties she has endured since she last played at Wimbledon in 2016.
The 36-year-old’s pregnancy ended with a complicated delivery that left her needing several operations to prevent life-threatening blood clots. Williams was forced to stay in bed for six weeks and could barely walk as she recovered from the traumatic experience.
“It’s no secret I had a super tough delivery. I lost count after, like, four surgeries because I was in so many,” she said.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion insists the pain was all worthwhile now she has memories like watching Olympia learning to walk for the first time at Wimbledon.
As for her own progress on the court, Serena claims she is still working her way back, but she believes the final provides a chance to hit peak form.
“I was expecting a few more baby steps from myself. I still feel like I’m in that place,” Williams said.
“I’ve said it all week, this is only my fourth tournament back.
“I want to take a giant step forward, keep taking giant steps, keep improving.”
If anyone would be able to return from such a debilitating experience, it would be Serena.
The American’s fiercely competitive streak fuelled her rise from the bulletriddled courts of Compton in southcentral Los Angeles, and she remains as driven as ever.