Here’s a test. Let’s try to think of a fantastically unlikely statement from a No.1 seed – especially one currently on course for an historic calendar Grand Slam. So how about this?
“I have nothing to lose. I’m just in this Championship to have fun.”
So said Serena Williams moments after leaving the Centre Court on Wednesday, having produced an utterly commanding display to dismiss Hungary’s Timea Babos in the second round 6-4, 6-1 in 59 minutes. Moreover, when Serena came out with the above comment, she spoke with an air of utter relaxation and managed to sound like she really meant what was she was saying. It was hard to decide which was the more jaw-dropping – the sentiment she expressed or the form she is showing. Heather Watson, who faces her in the last 32, faces a huge task, even with the natural support of the home crowd behind her.
Over the many years of the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s career, it has not been unusual to see her somewhat below her best in the early rounds of the big tournaments. Let no one be in any doubt – Serena may have struggled at Roland Garros, remarkably winning it all the same, but she is not remotely struggling at Wimbledon 2015. Moreover, it is quite clear that Serena knows it as well as anyone.
“I am definitely playing well, which I never say,” she stated after the match – and it’s true, she rarely allows herself claims of excellence. But after her opening rounds here, it is thoroughly justified.
By all means Babos is the world No.92 and thus was not expected to be a formidable opponent, but the doubles specialist – she was runner-up here last year with Kiki Mladenovic to Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci – was no pushover. Nonetheless, the 22-year-old’s resistance was (in the old phrase) futile in the face of Serena’s devastating intensity. Truly, Williams delivered the kind of display her compatriots are wont to label as awesome.
Obviously the Grand Slam is on my mind. But I would have to win a really tough draw here
She and Babos exited the Centre Court side-by-side, wreathed in such mutual smiles that strangers to the game might have mistaken them for old friends sharing a fun time. But then again, Babos could take satisfaction from her display, and does describe herself in her Twitter bio as “smiley tennis player”, while – as we now know – Serena is indeed at Wimbledon 2015 purely to have fun.
On second thoughts, maybe those words are actually her most dangerous, as in her case having fun frequently coincides with the lifting of trophies. It has happened five times already in SW19, after all. Still, the pursuit of Serena’s idea of fun does require a certain focus. Hence the decision by the Williams sisters on Tuesday to withdraw from the doubles here.
“Obviously the Grand Slam is on my mind,” said Serena. “But I would have to win a really tough draw here, and I would have to win the US Open. That’s not really easy. Of course it’s something I want to do. But at the end of the day, there is a reason it’s rarely done.
“Two tough matches off the bat so far. They weren’t easy wins. Am I playing my best? I hope not. I’d like to believe I have room to improve and do well. Withdrawing from the doubles was the right decision for this year. Just making sure I’m 100% healthy for the singles, focusing on that.”
Asked about Heather Watson, Serena said: “I don’t know her. I see her around the locker room. She’s always smiling, so she seems to be super sweet. She plays so well on the grass and at home. She’s played well at Eastbourne a couple of times, and had a really good win today. Yikes –I never like playing the Brits at home. Once again I have my work cut out for me.”
And that was when she said it: “But I have nothing to lose. I’m just in this Championship to have fun.”
Be afraid. Be very afraid. Serena’s idea of fun doesn’t usually add up to a great time for her opponents. On the form she has shown so far, anyone still in the draw should be worried.
