Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Serena, Kerber both have points to prove in final
SERENA WILLIAMS and Angelique Kerber share common feelings as they prepare to enter a third major final together at Wimbledon today.
They both want to leave their troubles from 2017 behind and restart their tennis careers at the top of the sport, where they once were.
Kerber won her first two grand slam titles at the Australian and US Opens in 2016, while losing a Wimbledon final to Williams in between.
But after the best year of her career, Kerber slumped to a title drought with no tournament win for the next 12 months of the following season.
“With 2016, all the success, 2017 with a few up and downs, to coming back this year. I think learned so many things about me, about how I am,” said the 30-year-old German after beating Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-3, to reach her fourth championship contest in London.
“I’m really proud to be back in the Wimbledon final after especially last year where things weren’t like I was expecting. That was a goal when I start this year, to be reaching the finals again.”
Williams meanwhile took a break from the sport to give birth to her daughter Olympia after winning her 23rd major honour at the 2017 Australian Open.
However, it wasn’t without trial and tribulation. The 36-year-old American endured post-partum complications with blood clots on her lungs, which, she wrote in an article, nearly caused her to die.
Williams added that despite this, she still feels an athletic instinct to push her boundaries beyond a motherhood analogy of ‘baby steps’.
“There was a time I could barely walk to my mailbox,” said Williams after defeating Kerber’s compatriot Julia Goerges 6-2, 6-4 in Thursday’s semi-finals.
“I was still pregnant at this time last year.
“That’s something I have to keep reminding myself. I still feel like I’m in that baby step place. This is only my fourth tournament back.
“Every time I go out there, I want to take a giant step forward, keep taking giant steps, and keep improving.”
Today’s final between the two former world number ones will be a chance to reignite their rivalry from 2016.
Kerber conquered Williams for her maiden honour in Melbourne before Williams dominated their last meeting at Wimbledon in straight sets to claim her seventh title.
“I think it is a completely new match,” said Kerber of their next meeting.
“I know that I have to play my best tennis to beat her, especially on the grass, on the Centre Court, where she won so many titles here.
“Now for sure she had a lot of big confidence, especially after the matches she won here already. She’s a fighter. She’s a champion. That’s why she is where she is now.”
Williams adds that she thinks the final will be a trip down memory lane, in a similar battle to those they shared two years ago, but insists her approach to Kerber will never change.
“I don’t feel any different. I know that sounds weird, but I don’t,” she said.
“That’s an attitude I always want to keep, something I want to teach my daughter to always just have this humility.
“Believe me, I know she wants to go out there and win. So do I. I think it will be just like the last final, it will be a really good final. Hopefully it will be a good result.”
One boost of motivation for Williams is the chance to equal a long-standing record.
If she lifts the Venus Rosewater Dish for an eighth time today, Williams pulls level with Australian Margaret Court, who holds the most major wins with 24. “It’s just a number,” Williams said. “I want to get as many as I can. I still have a match to win, so I’m not even there yet. I have to be ready for the match of my life.” – dpa