Serena the last word in courage
BUT WILLIAMS ON BRINK OF EIGHTH TITLE
Just 10 months after giving birth, Serena Williams can complete her incredible comeback in today’s Wimbledon final against Angelique Kerber as she bids to become the first mother to win the tournament for 38 years.
Williams is playing only her fourth tournament since the arrival of baby daughter Olympia in September and is 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 an extremely difficult 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,” Williams said after beating Julia Goerges to reach her 10th Wimbledon final.
“Because of all the blood issues I have, I was really touch-and-go.
“In a way, it’s by far the toughest year for me, but in a way it’s by far the best because I have Olympia. For me, I only see joy out of it.”
The 23-time Grand Slam champion insists the pain was all worthwhile now she has her first child with her at Wimbledon.
Making a mockery of Wimbledon’s decision to seed her a lowly 25th, Williams has powered through the draw, getting stronger with each match.
She arrives in her 30th Grand Slam final – her 10th at Wimbledon on a 20-match winning run.
That streak dates back to Williams’ titles on her last two visits in 2016 and 2015 and she is the odds-on favourite to see off Kerber, whom she beat in the final two years ago. – AFP