BOOK ROW ADDS TENSION TO ROLAND GARROS CLASH
Serena Williams turned up the heat yesterday ahead of her French Open clash with bitter rival Maria Sharapova, saying the claims about her in the Russian’s book were “hearsay” and not “necessarily true”.
Sharapova, who Williams has beaten 18 times in a row, claimed in her recent memoir Unstoppable that Williams “hated” her for hearing her cry after the 2004 Wimbledon final. The fourth-round match at Roland Garros today will be the first time the two have faced off since the American’s win in the 2016 Australian Open quarter-finals – Sharapova’s last match before serving a 15-month doping ban.
“I think the book was 100 per cent hearsay, at least all the stuff I read and the quotes that I read, which was a little bit disappointing,” said Williams. “I have cried in the locker room many times after a loss, and that’s what I have seen a lot of people do. I think it’s normal.
“It’s a Wimbledon final, you know. So it’s just, like, I think it would be more shocking if I wasn’t in tears ... The book was a lot about me. I was surprised about that, to be honest. You know, I was, like, ‘oh, OK. I didn’t expect to be reading a book about me, that wasn’t necessarily true.’”
The 23-time grand slam champion, who holds a 19-2 overall record over Sharapova, is playing her first major tournament since winning the 2017 Australian Open, after giving birth to her daughter Olympia.
Williams’s only two losses to fellow former world No 1 Sharapova came 14 years ago.
Williams had played only four matches since taking time off due to pregnancy before arriving at Roland Garros, but has kept busy yesterday as she and sister Venus played in the doubles yesterday against Andrea Klepac and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. The sisters lost 6-4, 6-7, 6-0 to bow out of the last 16.
Sharapova has lost their last seven meetings in straight sets.
“Any time you play against Serena you know what you’re up against,” said the 31 year old. “You know the challenge that is upon you. You know, despite the record that I have against her, I always look forward to coming out on the court and competing against the best player.
“I think there is a lot of things in her game that she’s done much better than I have ... Numbers don’t lie.”