Hollywood or Melbourne, that’s the question Serena Williams seems to be asking herself next week. The signs are currently pointing more towards Australia.
It’s getting pretty confusing: Just a few days ago, Serena Williams asked her worldwide fan community to develop a great deal of anticipation – whatever. All Serena-Aficionados couldn’t help but think of a start for the defending champion at the Australian Open. Then, however, there is a smoke candle that has led to great uncertainty: Serena as a lecturer at a congress in Hollywood, scheduled for the very day when she was supposed to seal her entry into the final round in Melbourne. Good. Not good. Congresses and lectures can be postponed in case of doubt, but in Grand Slam tournaments it is not that easy.
But now a new message – from the champion herself! She is delighted that she will be able to serve as ambassador for the Australian Open’s official hotel chain in 2018. This does not necessarily mean that Serena is also doing this in Melbourne. For a small amount of protection money, the 23-times major winner is to appear on posters and in the social networks, in the run-up to the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. At least that’s how the hotel chain announced it. So it’s easy to assume a personal presence – and if Serena is already making her way to the apron, she can stay in the main field. Longer.
Not ideal news for Hollywood. However, the time difference between the continents could pass to all those involved. Somewhere there will be a window in which Serena from Melbourne will call the congress participants by telephone, in 2018 there should even be a picture line. However, confirmation of this has not yet been given. It remains exciting.