Serena: I’ve lost track
SERENA WILLIAMS said she had no idea it was 20 years since her Wimbledon debut.
The seven-time champion (below) won her 1998 first-round clash against Laura Golarsa in straight sets, aged 16.
“Was it 20 years ago?” said the American superstar. “Wow... shush!
“Twenty years ago I can’t say I thought I’d be here 20 years later.
“When you’re so young, you just think that everyone retires at 26, 27, 28, maybe 30.
“Things have changed. I think technology really plays a big part in that, education, people knowing how to feed their body, take care of their body,
“I will start practising on the hard courts from tomorrow and continuing with my rehab and recovery and I’m looking forward to the US hard-court season.”
Murray will be replaced by lucky loser Jason Jung from Chinese Taipei.
After limping out of Wimbledon last summer, Murray has now made a late withdrawal from three of the last four Grand Slams.
In August, he pulled out of the US Open two days before the start and in January he withdrew from the Australian Open after flying Down Under to prepare.
Murray, who spent 11 months out following an operation, has played three matches since his return two weeks ago. He looked the least comfortable five days ago as he lost in straight sets to Kyle Edmund, who has replaced him as British No.1.
World No.18 Edmund, 23, who faces Alex Bolt tomorrow, said he was desperate to maintain his No.1 status.
He said: “Of course I would love to keep it long-term. It is up to me, how well I do.
“It would be great to do well here and be in the Wimbledon books in some sort of way.
“That is always a dream.” make their body better and greater for a longer period of time.”
The longevity of Williams, 36, who faces Arantxa Rus of Holland today, seems to have aroused the suspicions of drug testers. “I’m always getting tested, all the time,” she said. “How is it I’m getting tested five times in June? I’m okay with that, as long as everyone is being treated equally.” Williams returned to playing in March after taking six months off to have a baby, meaning she is only seeded 25.