Serena chases calendar Slam, history at US Open

NEW YORK (AFP) — World No. 1 Serena Williams feels the pressure of chasing history at the US Open, but she accepts the intensity as the price for dominating a generation of women’s tennis.

The 33-year-old American, who captured her first Grand Slam title at the 1999 US Open at age 17, is a huge favorite as she tries to complete the first calendar-year Grand Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988 by winning her 22nd career major title starting Monday on the New York hardcourts.

“I decided I prefer to have that pressure than the pressure of not winning,” Williams said. “Not everyone can handle that pressure, but I’m OK with it. I would rather be in this position than another one.”

Still, there’s no doubt Williams is looking forward to seeing her designs in a New York fashion show a few days after the US Open.

By then, the Grand Slam bid will be over, win or lose.

“I’m ready. I’m so ready. I’m ready to get it over with,” Williams said. “I don’t care if I win or lose or break even. I’m ready to start it, get it over with, and be done and go on to the next event.”