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A20 SPORTS
Thursday 11 July 2019

If experience matters, Williams has a big edge at Wimbledon

By CHRIS LEHOURITES Contrast that with her three she has plenty to gain. The
AP Sports Writer remaining rivals. American superstar has
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) Barbora Strycova, Wil- been trying to equal the all-
— One of the Wimbledon liams’ opponent on Thurs- time record of Grand Slam
semifinalists has won 23 ma- day, will be playing in first singles titles of 24, but twice
jor titles. major semifinal in her 53rd lost in finals last year.
The other three women Grand Slam tournament, One of those losses came
playing Thursday have while Elina Svitolina will also at Wimbledon. The other,
combined to win one. be making her debut at at the U.S. Open, was ac-
If experience and accom- this stage. Only former No. companied by a dramatic
plishments count for any- 1 Simona Halep has been final set in which Williams
thing, Serena Williams has a Grand Slam champion, was given three code vio-
the clear advantage. winning last year’s French lations. The second cost her
“I definitely feel a lot more Open, and will be playing a point, and the third cost
pressure as I got older,” Wil- in her seventh major semi- her a game.
liams said after beating Ali- final. Naomi Osaka went on to
son Riske in three sets in the “It was always my dream. the win that title in New
quarterfinals, then clarifying Always, to play good at York, and Williams had an
just how much experience this tournament was my article published in Harper’s
she actually has. “Now that dream,” said the 33-year- Bazaar magazine on Tues-
I am past older, I feel a little old Strycova, a Czech day saying she has apolo-
bit less pressure.” player who has been talk- gized to Osaka for her ac-
The 37-year-old Williams, ing about retiring this year. tions on the court — in part
a seven-time Wimbledon “It’s happening at this age United States’ Serena Williams celebrates after winning a point to find a way to move on
champion, will be play- right now. It’s incredible.” against United States’ Alison Riske during a women’s quarterfinal from the episode and get
ing in the semifinals at the Despite her less-illustrious list match on day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in back to tennis.
All England Club for the of achievements, Strycova London, Tuesday, July 9, 2019. “I’ve had a lot of things
12th time. Overall, she has is ready for the challenge Associated Press happen to me at that par-
reached the last four at 37 of playing one of the great- cova said. much as I can. I will enjoy. ticular tournament in gen-
major tournaments, putting est tennis players in history. “Of course, I don’t have I have really at this point eral,” Williams said.
her in a tie with Steffi Graf “I don’t have fear. I just will such a power like Serena, nothing to lose.” “It was just important to al-
for third most in the profes- go there Thursday and I will but I have (other) weap- Williams doesn’t really have ways try to better yourself in
sional era. try to play my game,” Stry- ons. I will try to use them as anything to lose, either, but any way that you can.”q