Serena mulled French Open withdrawal

Serena Williams considered withdrawing from Saturday's  French Open final against Lucie Safarova on the eve of the match as she struggled to fight off the effects of flu.

Speaking after she defeated the Czech player 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-2 to take her 20th career Grand Slam title, 33-year-old Williams said that the buildup to the final had been "a nightmare" for her.

"I even told the physio, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to play because this is just not looking good. I actually was really bad last night," she said.

"And then they helped me out. I hit a little bit today in the morning and I hit them pretty well. I was just like, OK, I have been playing for over 30 years. I know I can at least play tennis. After that I just went out to play a match."

The match turned out to be disjointed with both players being unable to play well at the same time, resulting in a roller-coaster of a clash.

Williams started powerfully and was a set and 4-1 up before her serve deserted her.

Safarova then took over winning the second on a tie-break and was a break up in the decider before Williams resurfaced to reel off the last six games for the win.

"I got so frustrated. I was just so angry with myself," said Williams who was given a warning for swearing at one point.
"I pretty much gave the match away. I think she played really well. But at the same time, I gave it to her. I started hitting double faults. I was really frustrated with myself. I just had to pull it together."

Next up for Williams will be Wimbledon which starts in three weeks time when a title win would give her possession of all four Grand Slam crowns at the same time - a feat she already achieved when she won the Australian Open in 2003.

"I haven't done great at Wimbledon the past two years, so I'm going to take it a day at a time there," she said.

"My goal is just to do better than in the last couple of years. That's the one I've been struggling at so hopefully I will be able to play a little better there.

"I mean it's perfect for my game, so now that my arm is better I'm hoping to get better there."
Source: AFP