What Serena Williams Needs to Do to Get on Track for a Strong Finish in 2014

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 11, 2014

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Serena Williams' tumultuous season can be turned around with a win at the U.S. Open. Getting in position to pull that off will require Williams to take a different approach from the one she took in 2013.

Last year, Williams stormed through tournaments on her way to a record-breaking season. She went 78-4 and won 11 titles, including the French Open and U.S. Open. She racked up a record $12.4 million in prize money and became the oldest woman to ever hold the No. 1 ranking.

Yet the schedule, the grind and the fight for No. 1 left her fatigued and burned out.

Earlier this year, after a first-round loss at the Family Circle Cup, Williams spoke to reporters about needing a break. 

On Wednesday, Williams withdrew from the Swedish Open, citing the need for more time to recover from a viral illness. 

She told ESPN.com, "I have decided not to play in Bastad next week because I am still not at 100 percent. I want to be in top physical shape to compete and I expect to start training next week."

Even if she were well enough to play, withdrawing from the Swedish Open was a good move for Williams. She needs, and can afford, some time off.

So what if she blows off tournaments where she is defending champion? Despite failing to advance beyond the fourth round in any Grand Slam this year, Williams maintains a 2,550 point-lead over No. 2 Li Na. 



Right now, Williams needs redemption more than ranking. With one Slam remaining, Williams can still salvage her season. A win at the U.S. Open would tie her with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova with 18 Grand Slam titles.

However, a loss would render her year a failure. 

Williams must become more selective in the tournaments she targets. She turns 33 in September. The oldest woman to win a Slam was Navratilova. She was 33 years and eight months old when she won Wi...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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