“I was with Serena in Rio”, said Mary Joe Fernandez, part of the USA Olympic coaching team who is also a pundit for ESPN.
Advertisement
“Every year Serena adds to her resume and history in the game, the NY crowds, while she’s never been beloved, I think the appreciation and realization that the fans are looking at an athlete that comes along once in a blue moon”.
Asked about the prospect of becoming world number one, Kerber could hardly contain her excitement.
No one has benefitted more from Djokovic’s stumble than Andy Murray. Still, even if the weather is dry, the new $150 million retractable roof atop the tournament’s main arena will make a debut of sorts: The U.S. Tennis Association plans to shut the structure after the day session, then open it while Phil Collins performs “In the Air Tonight” during the opening-night ceremony.
Williams has two records in her sights at Flushing Meadows, where she can overtake Steffi Graf’s Open era record 22 grand slam titles and also surpass the German’s unbeaten 186 consecutive weeks at world number one.
“There were a lot of positives I took from my Serena match”, McHale said. Not only did she stay with Williams, but she also registered a major upset, winning 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. “I will try to compensate and improvise as much as I can and find the best ways of getting myself properly ready”.
“I will not put too much pressure on this”.
“If the day will come I will reach number one, it would be incredible but I will not think too much (about it)”.
“I think a lot of it has to do with her shoulder because that serve is the big key for her to win matches”.
Muguruza, the world number three, has an outside chance of taking the top spot.
Williams is a plus-120 favorite (bet $100 to win $120) to win the tournament, according to Odds Shark. “I don’t think Murray would go in as a favourite on that surface against Nadal in a best-of-five”.
“I have played an terrible lot of tennis, a lot of matches”.
“There are a couple of players that if they do really well and whatever the situations are, they can reach No. 1. I feel it a little bit, but I guess it’s normal”.
Novak Djokovic is the defending champion at US Open that begins on Monday. Serena on the other hand seems to be rested up.
It does, however, offer a hint of vulnerability about a player who, until Sam Querrey’s heroics at Wimbledon, appeared infallible and primed for a period of dominance similar to Federer nearly 10 years ago.
Advertisement
“But rarely would you announce to the press, “Look, I can’t play”. “We have interactive tennis and skills activities from kids who have never picked up a racket before – beginners – all the way up to advanced players”. “Let’s see how the others will play”.
