And she has done it again: Serena Williams has reached the semi-finals of the US Open for the twelfth time since 1999. But this time everything is different, more emotional and somehow more impressive.
Spike Lee has also thought about this in the VIP boxes of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Hollywood stars such as Leonardo Di Caprio, Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton & Co. have been scrimmaging each other for years in the second week of the tournament and important New York businessmen negotiate their notorious deals while watching tennis.
And the film director, once also producer of Michael Jackson music videos, revealed frankly and freely in front of the ESPN microphone what dimensions a Serena Williams has long since reached for him. According to Lee, the soon-to-be 37-year-old is already in a row with the so-called “Bigger-than-life” sports superstars like Muhammad Ali or Michael Jordan.
Their work left deep traces, not only of Ali and Jordan, but also of Williams, who gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia on September 1, 2017, almost exactly one year ago, and then, according to her own statements, was temporarily in mortal danger due to pulmonary embolism and a blood clot in the abdominal cavity. “Six days of uncertainty followed after the birth,” said the 23-time Grand Slam winner in a CNN interview.
Twelve months later, Serena Williams is only two victories away from her seventh US Open record title. It would be a special triumph of the young mother, a statement – loud and clear, beyond the sporting boundaries, with a long shelf life.
And: The circle would close in NYC. Just at the very place where, exactly 19 years ago (!!!!) in 1999, she stemmed her first major trophy into the sky.
With title number 24, she would also catch up with the leading Australian Margaret Court on the Grand Slam list. Another milestone for Williams, who started her fabulous career in a problem district of Los Angeles: “I was a little girl with a bat and a dream.
Anyone who hears the hype about Serena Williams in the New York days must take their hat off how she keeps her focus and her feet firmly on the ground in the midst of the ubiquitous jubilation. But the right-hander from Florida, who has won over 87 million dollars in her career to date, was extremely humble after her 6-4, 6-3 quarter-final victory over Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic/No. 8).
“I still remember that, whether I’m in the semi-finals or the finals, I have a really long way to go to win the tournament here,” said Williams, citing the Wimbledon final defeat against Angelique Kerber as an example. The way along Church Road in mid-July was still too long for the power player, who will compete in the US Open with a tulle dress – either in lilac or black.
But Williams seems to be a bit further back in the Big Apple on her way back to her old strength. In a duel with Pliskova, who is also so strong, the American scored her first victory against a top ten player since returning to Indian Wells in March. “And that really is a big step for me,” said the eternal Serena: “Now I feel like I’m at a level where I can compete with these great top-ten players.
Ace Queen” Pliskova, who only had three of her own against Williams’ 13 aces in the quarter-finals, also praised the local heroine. “It doesn’t matter whether she’s seeded at number 17 or 18. I think she’s still the strongest,” the Czech emphasized and had to admit: “Serena won’t give you anything and plays her best tennis when it gets tight for her”.
In the semi-final of Queens, Williams now surprisingly faces Anastasija Sevastova, who clearly put the defending champion Sloane Stephens (USA/No. 3) in the final eight. Serena’s the big favorite. But “for granted”, as the Americans say, is not a victory over the world rankings-18th from Latvia for the former number one.
“She’s been playing really well for a long time. I know her game – and she knows mine. Anastasia will bring back a lot of balls and I have to be prepared for that,” Serena Williams said before going to daughter Alexis Olympia late Tuesday night: “She is the most important thing in my life. The priorities have shifted, but even in the 21st professional year the hunger for success is still immensely great with the “Bigger-than-life” sports superstar.
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