NEW YORK (US) – Serena Williams believes that the withdrawal of some of the top tennis players from the US Open in the wake of the pandemic spread will not take the sheen off a potential 24th Grand Slam title which she is aiming for.
Of the top 10 women’s players, six have withdrawn. This includes reigning champion Bianca Andreescu and world number 1 Ash Barty. This has bolstered Williams’ chance of winning the event for the first time since 2014.
“It still has to be tennis that’s played, asterisks or not,” said Williams, who is a six-time US Open champion. “I think this whole year deserves an asterisk, because it’s such a special year – history we have never been through in this world.”
“I think we are living a future history lesson. I think regardless, there is always going to be some asterisk by it, because it’s never been done before.
“If you win, it was, like, wow, I was able to win in this crazy circumstance where there were no fans. It was just so sterile and weird, but I mentally came through. It might be a more mental test than anything.”
Williams said she had concerns over travelling to New York and is staying in a rented house instead of the players’ hotel.
“I have health issues and I don’t necessarily want to get sick, and if I do, I want the good version,” she said.
“I didn’t want to be in the hotel because I have lung issues and felt it was a big risk for me personally. In a house, I can control more. I needed to put my mind at rest so that I could perform.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field