LONDON, (Reuters) – Twelve months on from making the most bizarre of exits from Wimbledon, drama queen Serena Williams will be back at the All England Club next week eager to complete the “Serena Slam”.
As the holder of the U.S., Australian and French Open titles, the American is seven wins away from holding all four majors at the same time — a feat she last achieved as a 21-year-old.
A dozen years later, the 33-year-old is ready and primed to trample over anyone who dares to stand in the way of another clean sweep.
“I would never have expected at this time in my career to win three grand slams in a row. This for me is unbelievable,” the world number one said after winning her 20th major at Roland Garros.
“I’m really excited … I’ve got a Serena Slam and I’m close to another.”
To achieve that, however, she needs to avoid the kind of drama witnessed in her last appearance at Wimbledon or even at the French Open this month.
Twelve months ago a dizzy and disorientated Williams cut a sorry figure as she walked off the hallowed turf in tears after serving a whole game of double faults in a doubles match.
It was a case of deju vu at this year’s French Open when a clearly out-of-sorts Williams again struggled to stay on her feet during her semi-final against Timea Bacsinszky.
While her desire to win at all costs allowed the American to keep alive her dreams of completing a non-calendar grand slam, tennis great Chris Evert believes Williams cannot afford such slips-ups at Wimbledon, where the slick surface can be unforgiving.
