Serena Williams will feel more pressure than ever as she chases historic 24th Grand Slam at Wimbledon
SERENA WILLIAMS will feel 100 times more pressure than ever before as she chases a slice of tennis history today.
Williams, 37, chases a 24th Grand Slam singles title against Romania’s Simona Halep on Centre Court.
That would tie Australian Margaret Court’s 46-year-old record.
But Williams’ coach Patrick Moura-toglou reckons the American must embrace her bid for glory, not shy away from it.
Flamboyant Frenchman Mouratoglou said: “When you enter the court to possibly win a Grand Slam or equal the record of all-time or make history, the pressure is multiplied probably by ten or 100.
“Nobody can feel what Serena will feel on the court.
“If you try not to talk about it and put it on the side, it will come back and hit you back strong.
“So you have to accept it, deal with it, talk about it, get ready for it. And that’s what we will do.
“It’s a very special moment. We know a final is played a lot in the head.
“It’s dealing a lot with the emotions, whether you use them to make you play better. Or if the emotions will make you play against you.”
WILL I NEVER
Williams lost to German Angelique Kerber in the final 12 months ago and is searching for her first Major since becoming a mum in September 2017.
She would have done it at last year’s US Open but for that epic meltdown in the final against Naomi Osaka.
Today, she targets her seventh singles crown at SW19 — and her first since 2016.
Mouratoglou, 49, who has helped Williams win 11 Grand Slams, added: “Serena has beaten lot of records but this is the ultimate one.
“This record is the reason why she came back to tennis.
“She had a baby, she started a family, and she became a mother.
“She had to except the pressure, except to live this life again, travel around the world at 37 years old.
“And that’s because she wants it so much. It’s the only reason why she came back to tennis.
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“One of her strengths is that she is happy. Mike Tyson says there is nothing more dangerous than a happy boxer — I think the same for a player.
“You have to be happy on the tennis court. You have to be happy to compete, happy in your life.
“You are much more dangerous than if you are not completely happy.”