Serena Williams: I feel more relaxed and at peace

BySaketh RVK, SportsCafe Editor

07/09/2016

Serena Williams, chasing a record 22nd Grand Slam title, has said that she feels more relaxed and at peace than she has been in the past, ahead of her Wimbledon final against Angelique Kerber. The American said that she felt good and hoped to enjoy more and play fearlessly like her German opponent.

With Steffi Graf’s 22 Grand Slam record in sight, Serena would be expected to be under tremendous mental pressure, especially after losing both the Australian and French Open. But the six-time Wimbledon champion has said that she is confident and calm, probably a trait brewed in champions. “I think confidence brews peace and calm in champions. I think that’s how I feel. I feel good. I felt great in other tournaments, as well. But I feel a little different. I just feel more relaxed and more at peace than I may have been in the past,” Guardian reported her as saying.

She came out swinging, ready to win. She was fearless.

Angelique Kerber is looking to be the first German since Steffi Graf to win Wimbledon and her motivation will be high. She might also hold a psychological edge, with her 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Serena at the Rod Laver Arena in January. Serena admitted that it did carry significance.

“Obviously it’s significant that she beat me in Australia because that’s the last time we did play.

“And also just as an opponent, she’s great. She does things well. She moves excellent. She’s fun to play,” Guardian reported.

She also reflected her performance from the encounter and the lessons she learnt.

“[In Australia] I made a lot of errors. She made little to no unforced errors. It was still a three-set match. She came out swinging, ready to win. She was fearless.

“That’s something I learned. When I go into a final, I, too, need to be fearless like she was,” reported Guardian.

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