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SPORTS Wednesday 30 May 2018

Way to go, Mom: In Paris, Serena Williams wins Slam return

By HOWARD FENDRICH Ohanian in November. many unforced errors, 25,
AP Tennis Writer Williams eventually as winners, 29.
PARIS (AP) — For all that has revealed that she had But she is not simply skilled.
changed in the 16 months an emergency cesarean She is smart, too, and she
since Serena Williams last section, then encountered figured things out.
played in a Grand Slam trouble breathing afterward After trailing 3-0 in the
tournament — she is now because of a pulmonary tiebreaker, she reeled off six
married and a mother — so embolism and needed a points in a row. After falling
much was familiar about follow-up operation. behind 2-0 in the second
her at the French Open on "Just literally not sure if I set, Williams came up with
Tuesday. was going to make it or a trio of service breaks.
The fashion statement, this not at several different All was not perfect, of
time in the form of a black times," Williams said. "A course. In the final game,
bodysuit with a red belt lot of people have really Williams' right foot gave
that she said made her reached out, because way as she sprinted toward
feel like a "warrior princess." they have so many similar the net and she landed on
The cries of "Come on!" The stories, too. I feel like a lot her backside. At least she
big serves that provided of people don't talk about was able to laugh at that
13 aces. The returns that it. They talk about the baby as she went to the sideline
eventually produced three and how happy they are. to towel off. A spectator
consecutive breaks of But it's a lot that goes into yelled: "That's all right,
serve. it with the pregnancy and Serena! You still look great!"
And, yes, the victory. with giving birth, and it's After months of worrying
Competing as a mom for called a 'miracle' for a more about diapers than
the first time at a major, reason." drop shots, of breastfeeding
and only about nine The first match of her for what she called "a really,
months since giving birth comeback was in doubles really, really long time," of
to her daughter, Alexis alongside her older sister, organizing her practice
Olympia, then dealing with Venus, for the U.S. Fed schedule around her
postpartum complications, Cup team in February. She newborn's nap schedule,
Williams edged 70th- entered two tournaments Williams was back to doing
ranked Kristyna Pliskova of in singles the next month, what she's most famous
the Czech Republic 7-6 (4), going 2-2. An absence for, in an arena where she
6-4 at Roland Garros. of more than two months earned trophies in 2002,
Already a transcendent followed, until Tuesday in 2013 and 2015.
sports star and cultural Paris.So a woman who has Serena Williams of the U.S. prepares to serve against Karolina On Tuesday, she noted that
Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their first round match
icon, Williams now carries a spent hundreds of weeks of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros she showed up at her news
new title: working mother. ranked No. 1 is currently No. stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, May 29, 2018. conference more promptly
"Well, my priority is Olympia. 451 and unseeded at the Associated Press than she used to, so she
No matter what, that's my French Open, a subject of could have more time to
priority. I have given tennis some debate: Should her champions in action. French for "Game, Mrs. spend with Olympia.
so much, and tennis has past success accord her Rafael Nadal finished off Williams," a change from "I don't want her to ever
actually given me a lot, the protection a seeding a rain-interrupted victory the "Mademoiselle" used for feel like I'm not around. I'm
and I couldn't be more offers? Williams faces as he begins his try for a unmarried female players. a super hands-on mom,"
grateful," Williams said. 17th-seeded Ash Barty of record-extending 11th Pliskova, a lefty whose twin Williams said. "Maybe too
"She's my priority, and I work Australia next. French Open title. Maria sister upset Williams in the much."
everything around her." "She's a genuine champion," Sharapova, a two-time 2016 U.S. Open semifinals, A reporter wanted to know
The 36-year-old American Barty said. "What she's done champ in Paris, was pushed actually hit more aces, 15. whether Williams believes
had not played in to be able to get back ... is to three sets in a win. That's the most anyone has she can win the title again.
one of tennis's biggest a pretty amazing thing." Garbine Muguruza, who hit against Williams since "I'm definitely here to
tournaments since winning Tuesday's return was beat Williams in the 2016 at least 2008, according to compete and do the best
the Australian Open in striking, from Williams' final at Roland Garros, beat the WTA. that I can do, obviously. I'm
January 2017 for her 23rd powerful shots to her outfit, another past champion, Indeed, Williams appeared not putting any pressure
Grand Slam title, breaking which called to mind the Svetlana Kuznetsova. to have trouble reading on myself as I normally do,"
a tie with Steffi Graf for the "catsuit" she wore at the All eyes were on Williams, Pliskova's serves early on. Williams began.
most in the professional era. 2002 U.S. Open. though. On the fifth point, There were other blips, of Then, perhaps questioning
Williams, the world found It was by far the most she delivered an ace the sort to be expected her own words as she heard
out later, was pregnant at significant event of Day at 112 mph (181 kph). from someone who hasn't them, she paused, before
the time. Her baby was born 3 at Roland Garros, even Moments later, the chair played lately. Williams adding with a laugh: "I think
Sept. 1; Williams married though there were so umpire intoned, "Jeu, double-faulted seven deep down, we all know
Reddit co-founder Alexis many other Grand Slam Madame Williams," — times. She had nearly as the answer to that."q