“Cold Weather”: Serena Williams Uncomfortable With Playing Conditions of French Open 2020

Published 09/26/2020, 1:26 PM EDT

French Open 2020 will kick-off from tomorrow, and unlike earlier tournaments, the conditions will be colder and more humid. Legendary American tennis player Serena Williams even raised concerns over it. The Grand Slam usually takes place in late May and early June. But this time, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tournament is taking place in late September and early October.

“I hate the cold. I’m from L.A. (Los Angeles) and I live in Florida,” said the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Serena on the cold: 'I hate the cold. I'm from L.A. and I
live in Florida. For half my life I've never seen snow.
Cold weather and me do not mix. That's my Achilles
heel (laughs). But I'm dealing with it. I'm having a positive attitude about it.'
— Ravi Ubha (@raviubha) September 26, 2020

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The makeshift schedule certainly changes the conditions vastly. Players will have to adapt to them quickly, especially during the night matches where the cold breeze could cause discomfort.

‘I’m dealing with it’– Serena Williams

Coach Patrick Mouratoglou recently said in an interview that it will be even more challenging for those who play attacking tennis. Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams both are aggressive with their tennis from the baseline. As the conditions are going to be cold, the ball will move comparatively slower. Mouratoglou has encouraged such players to work on their defensive gameplay.

“For half my life I’ve never seen snow. Cold weather and me do not mix. That’s my Achilles heel,” said the 3-time French Open winner Williams.

Serena Williams missed the Italian Open 2020, which was held just before the Ronald Garros due to an Achilles strain. The strain restricted her from running and jumping. But the 39-year-old is completely fit and fine now.

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“I’m dealing with it. I’m having a positive attitude about it,” said an enthusiastic Williams ahead of the French open 2020.

The conditions are certainly not favorable for her. Age is another factor that is not on her side at the moment. But Serena has always been a champion. It is this optimistic mindset and ‘Never Give -Up’ attitude that make her such a competitor.

Serena Williams has not won a Grand Slam since 2016. Some legends like Mats Wilander have even said that she hasn’t been that great in recent years. She lost to Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals of the US Open 2020 when she was a set up.

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She will face Kristie Ahn in Round One of the French Open 2020 on this coming Monday. Can Serena overturn all the odds and win her 24th Grand Slam?

French Open 2020 Draw: Serena Williams on Collision Course With Top Seed Simona Halep

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Anshul Singh is a tennis author at EssentiallySports, currently pursuing Journalism Honors from Delhi University. Having significant experience with content, Anshul has authored over 500 tennis articles. He has previously worked as a writer and an editor for DU Express, penning riveting articles on sports, politics, and culture.

“Cold Weather”: Serena Williams Uncomfortable With Playing Conditions of French Open 2020

‘I’m dealing with it’– Serena Williams

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