Serena Williams is US Open ready: 'I have more fire in my belly'
NEW YORK, New York - Serena Williams says she has not looked at her draw at the US Open, but she's fully prepared for anything that will come her way.
The six-time US Open champion returns to Flushing Meadows less than a year after giving birth to her daughter Alexis Olympia, looking once again to win her 24th major singles title and tie Margaret Court's all-time record.
"That I would be the favorite at this point, almost a year after having a baby, is quite interesting," Serena told reporters at her pre-tournament press conference on Saturday. "I don't know my draw, but if I want to be the best, I'm going to have to start beating these people anyway."
Serena's road to the final could be far more difficult than the one she paved last month en route to the Wimbledon final. If the draw holds up, Serena would have to face her sister Venus in the third round, No.1 Simona Halep in the Round of 16, former No.1s Karolina Pliskova
READ: Full 2018 US Open Draw Preview
Home soil has been fruitful for Serena. She has not lost before the semifinal stage at the US Open since 2007. Of course, the circumstances surrounding Serena's return to New York this year are far different than any she's had before.
"I feel like everything is just different in terms of I'm living a different life, I'm playing the US Open as a mom," Serena said. "It's just new and it's fresh."
"If anything, [after becoming a mom] I have more fire in my belly. It's very hard to describe. It's very difficult to describe. I thought after having a child I would be more relaxed. I think I've said this before, but I'm not. I work just as hard if not harder actually. I just feel like I take it just as serious if not more. That's been really surprising for me."
That 'fire in the belly' and revamped intensity has been a double-edged sword for Serena during her comeback. The US Open will be just her seventh tournament this season. Serena has preached patience throughout her return and tempered expectations, you don't become a 23-time major champion by just accepting losses.
Since the Wimbledon final, Serena went 1-2 during the summer US hardcourt season, taking two very different losses in San Jose and Cincinnati. Her lopsided 6-1, 6-0 loss to Johanna Konta in San Jose was a match to forget for a variety of reasons, while her 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 loss to No.5 Petra Kvitova in Cincinnati was one of the most high-quality matches of the seasons and Serena's most impressive performance of the year.
"I definitely am more of a high-strung person where everything is dramatic for me," Serena said. "But I've been working on just taking things more easy and being more light. Most of all, just being nicer to myself, trying to take moments where I can relax and I can just take different things and I can be easier."
"I feel like I have to just be happy, you know, continue to work hard. I've been working incredibly hard. I feel like it will for sure pay off eventually."
"If anything, I can just continue to strive. That's the message I've been preaching to women and people, that we face obstacles. You have to face those obstacles. Whether you get through them or not, there's always another chance to get through them. You have to continue to work hard and believe in yourself. Things don't always go your way, but continue to climb that mountain."
Serena plays Magda Linette
Listen to a full preview of the US Open with Reem Abulleil on the latest episode of the WTA Insider Podcast below:
