Serena gets no rest, braces for ‘hectic’ schedule
STANFORD, California—Serena Williams has had little time to reflect on her first Grand Slam title in two years and even less time to sleep with a schedule she says is “probably the most hectic it has been in my career.”
And it has only just begun.
Three days removed from winning Wimbledon and less than three weeks away from returning to London to go for Olympic gold, a jet-lagged Williams was back on the court Tuesday—more than 5,000 miles and eight time zones away from the All England Club—in the serene setting at Stanford.
“I don’t know really where I am right now,” she joked.
The 14-time Grand Slam singles champion left London a day earlier, watched “at least five movies” on the flight because she couldn’t sleep and only rested a few hours before she showed up on Court 10 in front of about a dozen spectators.
The Bank of the West Classic, where the top-seeded Williams will defend her title beginning Wednesday, holds special meaning for Williams. The tournament is where her comeback took shape last year when she beat Marion Bartoli in the finals for her first WTA title victory since returning from blood clots in her lungs and two foot operations that threatened her life and career.
“I really wanted to come here more than anything,” Williams said. “This is kind of where I felt like it began.”
What a way to gear up for the Games. Serena and sister Venus will be right back on grass at the All England Club when Olympic competition begins July 28.
Williams, now No. 4 in the world rankings, and Venus won gold in doubles in 2000 and 2008 and will go for a third this year. Serena might also team with Andy Roddick or John Isner in mixed doubles. She has never medaled in singles.
