It’s not only in Asheville that the suspense is rising before Serena Williams’ possible comeback on the competition stage this weekend. The 36-year-old is in the line-up of the American Fed Cup team against the Netherlands.
Serena Williams is not to be seen on the official advertising poster for the showdown against the “Netherlands”. As usual, CoCo Vandeweghe balls his fist aggressively. But THAT’ S the topic of conversation number is just one thing before the Fed Cup duel between defending champions USA and the Dutch in Asheville/North Carolina next weekend: Serena Williams – and her possible comeback on the official competition stage after more than a year. Does she play, doesn’t she play? But a Williams is not really one who has been sitting behind the bank for two days without doing anything.
In any case, the local daily Citizen Times has already prepared its readership for the upcoming major event. In the online edition there is a list of eight points on the topic:”What you need to know about Fed Cup”. It is tantamount to a minor insult to the majesty that only point two explains what is probably the most important fact:”The Williams sisters are there”.
On the other hand: In the city in Buncombe County there is still some catching up to do when it comes to tennis. Point one of the list deals with the fundamental question:”What is the Fed Cup?” The U. S. will hold 5,000 spectators. Cellular Arena, where you can play on the fast latex-te recreational coating. The best conditions for the return of the powerful racquet queen, who played her last official match in the final of the Australian Open 2017. At that time against her sister Venus – and already pregnant with daughter Alexia Olympia.
It is only the fourth time that Serena and Venus have entered the Fed Cup together. Their debut took place in 1999,19 years ago – that’s an eternity felt in professional sport. In the Williams-Universe the factor time appears relative. With the two icons in the line-up, the US team has never lost. Serena Williams has a flawless individual record of 13-0 victories. That’s what they call a guarantee of success.
In any case, the former number one did everything in the last few days to get the finishing touches. She took part in the so-called “Spartan”run. At this obstacle race, various stations are completed – among others, the participants are allowed to fight their way through mud and mud puddles. Serena Williams also recently had fun with trampoline jumping. Doubting the comeback? Not for Rena.
Daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr. will have followed the activities of her famous mum, who has recently lost her official WTA ranking, with interest. The little girl, over five months old, but already equipped with her own Twitter account and 3004 followers, was last given a white mini racket by her mum’s club sponsor. The fact that self-confidence is a matter of course in one of the world’s most famous sports families was proven by Serena Williams’ entry in her daughter’s photograph:”Olympia Ohanian at Matchball, Championship-Point. Even without her shoes, it’s hard to beat her. She now serves up to her twelfth Wimbledon title – three more than her mum Serena has.” Any questions?
If so, then Serena Williams also answers this question:”It has to be said quite clearly: I definitely want more Grand Slams”, she recently emphasized in the big Vogue interview and explained:”I know the record books very well, unfortunately. Asheville, the idyllic city in North Carolina, is said to be just the beginning of the end.