Serena Williams: Reaching two Grand Slam finals beyond my expectations

Serena Williams celebrates

Serena Williams has again set herself some “crazy big goals” for the 2019 season after exceeding her expectations this campaign.

After spending more than a year on the sidelines due to the birth of her daughter, Olympia, Williams made her competitive return in March this year.

Four months later and she was back in a Grand Slam final, but unfortunately finished runner up to Angelique Kerber at Wimbledon while she was also a losing finalist at the US Open with Naomi Osaka winning the title.

The 23-time major champion admits she is delighted with how things went in 2018.

“Honestly, I cannot believe the year I had,” she told The National.

“I have to say I always expect the best from myself, but reaching two Grand Slam finals back to back was beyond my expectations.”

Williams gave birth to her daughter in September 2017 and three months later she played an exhibition match against Jelena Ostapenko at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship (MWTC) in Abu Dhabi.

The American will return to the Middle Eastern country next week as she will take on her sister Venus at the MWTC, and she can’t wait to get the new season underway.

“It truly makes me excited for what’s ahead in 2019,” she said.

She added: “I always have crazy big goals but I like to keep them to myself. I think keeping them a bit of a secret helps me do the best I can.”


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