Serena Williams has a genuine shot at her 24th Grand Slam title. She is doing everything she can to focus solely on her game at the US Open. Williams decided to opt for a rented home in the bio-secure bubble at the National Tennis Centre. She has a history of lung-related illness and the coronavirus has put her on her guard all the more.

“I want to be here, but I have genuine health issues. I didn’t want to be in the [official player] hotel because I have lung issues and felt it was a big risk for me personally,” Serena said in a media conference for the Western and Southern Open. The event will be played at the same venue. “In a house, I can control more, there’s no housekeeping [staff], none of that stuff. I needed to put my mind at rest so that I could perform in New York,” she added.

Serena Williams happy to pay for full-time security

Under the new guidelines for the US Open, the USTA is also allowing players to stay with family members or others from their entourage at a private home in the bubble. The tournament has two approved tournament hotels for those who don’t want to opt for a private home. In addition to this, players are also required to pay for round-the-clock security throughout the duration of their stay to ensure that members living in the home do not break rules and abide by the guidelines.

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Williams said she fully supports these requirements and that it is important to keep a check on everyone. “They have to guide you, make sure people aren’t leaving, going to nightclubs and restaurants. I think that’s good because people might get antsy and might want to go places,” she said.

She admitted that she herself wants to know whether everyone is following the rules or not. “I want to know where people are going and I want to make sure we are all keeping ourselves in this giant bubble. There are more people now, with 128 (players) draws. That’s a lot of people, so I like to know that everybody is staying to their word and being honest about it,” the 38-year-old added.

Seeding advantage for Williams

Serena Williams battled pulmonary embolisms and blood-clot issues during and after her pregnancy in September 2017. It was a life-threatening illness at the time. She was on bed rest for weeks, which ended up delaying her return.

With five of the top-10 players on the women’s side opting out of both events in New York, Williams will be in the top four seeds.

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