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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates winning her second round match against Eugene Bouchard of Canada during day four of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates winning her second round match against Eugene Bouchard of Canada during day four of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Former World No. 1 Jim Courier believes that Serena Williams can win the first Slam of the year.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner is currently pursuing her 24 major title. In doing so, she will equal Margaret Court’s all-time most major titles record.
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But it has not been easy for the 39-year-old since her return to tennis after giving birth. However, since 2018, she has made four Grand Slam finals and won her first title last year in Auckland.
For the 2021 WTA season, Jim highlighted that no player has the rhyme or the momentum from last year. As a result, Serena will enter Melbourne Park no different than her opponents.
He also mentioned that the former women’s No. 1 player is not playing her best in the finals. If she can beat her own-self, she can bring back the Australian Open title.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball during her Women’s Singles semifinal match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2020, in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“Australian Open might just be a great chance for her,” the four-time Grand Slam winner said. “She is coming in on equal terms which has not been the case for her for the last few seasons.”
And while she plays for the big record, it is unlikely that she will continue playing tennis. Jim expressed, “She’s basically playing for the walk-off to the movie of her life.”
Serena Williams’ last Slam came at the Australian Open
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after winning a point during her Women’s Singles second-round match against Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia on day three of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
World No. 11 Serena had an unsatisfactory 2020 season. Though she made the semifinals of the US Open, it’s getting tougher and tougher for her to win.
The American also pulled out from the second stage at the French Open after an Achilles’ injury. Fortunately, the pandemic worked in her favor as she got enough time to recover. Not to mention, the time with her family will also help her bring the desired results.
However, to win a Grand Slam is indeed a big challenge for Williams. Plus, her opponents are stronger and fiercer and will give her everything they have.
“She’s basically playing for the walk-off to the movie off her life…”
“If anyone can do it, it’s @SerenaWilliams.”With the @AustralianOpen coming up and everyone starting at a level playing field, is it Serena’s chance for #24?#TCLive | @LDavenport76 | @Steve_Weissman pic.twitter.com/3kHe2Ecg93
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 5, 2021
When Serena wins a Grand Slam title, she will have won a major title in four different decades. While everything is on her side, can she do it this time?
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