Serena eager to hit with big guns again

Serena Williams is through taking baby steps on the comeback trail after the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia in September. The 23-time Grand Slam singles winner is ramping up her return this week by playing in Indian Wells, her first WTA Tour event since she won the 2017 Australian Open.

After a couple of exhibitions and a Davis Cup doubles match, Williams was eager to hit with the big guns as she opened her campaign late last night against Zarina Diyas.

“I’m ready to just jump in and get started and see what happens,” the 36-year-old American told the Wall Street Journal this week. “Obviously I’m going to have a few hiccups, I would imagine, and I’m ready for that.”

Indian Wells features a star-studded women’s field in a tournament that looks wide open.

Many of the players said they welcomed Serena’s return.

“We are all going to look and see how she is playing,” said reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza.

“She is one of the best players so it is good that she is back, especially after becoming a mom. It is great.”

French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko said Serena’s contribution to women’s tennis cannot be overstated.

“She is an amazing athlete,” said the sixth-seeded Latvian. “She is a very special and what she has done for women’s tennis is huge.”

But Czech fifth seed Karolina Pliskova said it is going to take more than one WTA event for Serena to get back into championship form.

“Obviously it is tough to get back even for a champion like her,” Pliskova said. “I don’t have that experience of having a baby, but I think it changes the body and the mindset a lot.

“We will see in the first round. For sure she is going to be a little bit nervous. I don’t know what kind of shape she is in and if she was practising or not practising.

“She can play good tennis again but I don’t know if it is going to be at this tournament, maybe it will take her a while.” – AFP