Serena Williams: 'It is amazing I can use my voice to help others'
After hitting the court again in March following a long break following her pregnancy and giving birth to a daughter last September, Serena Williams managed to return inside the top-20 despite playing just seven WTA tournaments in 2018. The 23-time Grand Slam champion reached two Major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and she is eager to play more events in 2019, chasing that 24th Grand Slam crown and more records in an already illustrious career that started more than 20 years ago. Serena will spend the first week of the new year in Perth, competing for the USA at Hopman Cup together with Frances Tiafoe, and she has to make one more stop before heading down under.
On December 27, Serena will play a match against her sister Venus on the opening day of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, returning to Abu Dhabi a year after she lost to Jelena Ostapenko in the first ever WTA match at this event. Preparing for the match against her sister, Serena spoke about their rivalry and the goals that keep her motivated after achieving everything on the court. She was one of the players that had the biggest influence on WTA passing the rule that gives better ranking protection for mothers who are making their return and also a fearsome fighter for more equality in the sport that stands on a much higher level compared to some 20 years ago when she was making her first steps.
"It is never easy playing your best friend.. she really knows my game inside out and has been so successful over me so many times," Serena said. "She is my role model, sister and best friend all rolled up in one, but as I’ve said before, she really brings out the best in me. There is always a goal. It is not about setting goals to beat; it’s just about, for me, doing something that I completely love. That is what keeps me motivated. Pressure is never easy. But I have learned that it is a privilege, and I would much rather have the pressure that comes along with the privilege than not have any pressure at all. It is amazing to know that by speaking out I can use my voice to help others.
I am so happy that the WTA created this new rule that gives greater ranking protection to mothers who return to action after a break. Women should be able to have families and still work, not only in tennis but everywhere. Of course, it is always nice to see more equality in the sport compared to when I started playing. Time changes all things. There is still a way to go, but so many pioneers before me have been able to make a lot of changes and pave the way for players like me."
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2QSpmmL
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