Serena Williams wants to be inventive and add selection to her recreation if the 39-year-old American needs to tame the present power-hitters on clay, seven-time Grand Slam singles winner Mats Wilander informed Reuters forward of this week’s French Open.
The French Open, which begins on May 30, has been the least rewarding of the 4 majors for Williams, who received the final of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles on the Australian Open in 2017.
Williams reached 4 Grand Slam finals in 2018 and 2019 however has failed to get previous the final 16 at Roland Garros in her final three appearances.
Wilander, who received three titles on the crimson clay in Paris, stated the American wanted to take a leaf out of Roger Federer’s e book and make adjustments to her recreation just like the Swiss did 4 years in the past earlier than occurring to win three extra majors.
“I don’t see Serena’s recreation creating in the previous few years,” Eurosport pundit Wilander said. “It’s kind of the same Serena that we’ve seen over the years.
“And at her age, unless she changes something a little bit, becomes a little more creative, I don’t think Serena can overpower all these women these days because they serve well, they hit the ball hard. She’s kind of competing with the same game against the women today.
“She needs to tell other people that ‘listen I’ve been playing this game for 22 years, I got 23 majors. I need to change something and this is what I’m going to do’.”
Wilander didn’t imagine Williams had an opportunity to finish her quest for a record-equalling twenty fourth main at Roland Garros.
“I feel Serena is in the identical boat as Federer. Which is ‘let’s go to the French Open and let’s hope that we will win a match or two or three’,” Wilander said.
“And then that will be an unbelievable bonus in her confidence, in the experience of playing matches in a big stadium court with hopefully some people in the crowd.
“And then she can take that fresh experience to Wimbledon and then carry it through to the U.S. Open.
“Can she beat Iga Swiatek? Of course, we know Serena can beat anyone, pretty much on any given day. But can she do it seven matches in a row on clay? Highly doubtful.”
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