“Super-Ready for Clay”: Serena Williams Reveals French Open Preparation

Serena Williams had to give her all to win against Arantxa Rus in the second round of the Western & Southern Open, also known as the Cincinnati Open. The match stretched onto the third-set tiebreaker, and Serena bageled Rus in the tiebreaker to win the match 6-7 6-3 7-6.

In her post-match press conference, Serena spoke about her opponent and the match. She felt she didn’t do anything wrong but also indicated that she was surprised by how Rus played.

“At some point, it is gonna get better. I don’t feel like I am doing anything bad. We scouted her match, she did not play like that so it is kind of interesting so I just hopefully keep going,” Serena said.

“I wanted to be super-fit was because it is 6 weeks in a row of playing tennis,” Serena Williams

Speaking on her fitness, Serena said that she felt physically fit and ready. But she also mentioned that tennis is a mental game and that she might have to be more mentally prepared.

“I don’t know, physically I feel like I am incredibly fit. I did hit a wall today in the second set… So I think physically I am fit, tennis is mental, it’s all mental.” Serena said.

Serena isn’t rushing into things. She has been taking things one day at a time. She has also been placing additional emphasis on fitness because for the next six weeks, players will play non-stop tennis.

“I am taking it every day at a time, I am gonna see how I feel tomorrow, but I am ready. I am excited and like I said I am actually super-fit and super ready… I think the reason I wanted to be super-fit was because it is six weeks in a row of playing tennis everyday. It will be a really good opportunity for me to be super-ready for clay as well,” Serena said.

Read More: “I Can Pass the Test at the Open”: Serena Williams Issues Stern Warning Ahead of US Open 2020

Serena Williams will next play the 13th seed Maria Sakkari. Sakkari hasn’t dropped a set yet and has beaten Coco Gauff in the first round. Serena will need to bring her A-game to move past Sakkari!