After a disappointing Wimbledon, where she was beaten in the third round in singles and illness ended any aspirations of doubles success, Serena Williams returns to action this week at Stanford, opening against Kimiko Date-Krumm or Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday.
Expect the tennis world to be tuned in.
There are plenty of questions surrounding the world No 1, who turns 33 on September 26, and her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, only added to the intrigue with recent statements about her mental condition.
“Serena is clearly going through a difficult period,” Mouratoglou told Tennis Magazine.
“But since Wimbledon, we have had long hours of talks and we are getting back to work.”
There are rumours that Williams and Mouratoglou, who have been romantically linked, are headed for a split, but the Frenchman denied them.
Is a troubled relationship the reason for Williams recent struggles? Or is age simply creeping up on her?
The American’s best result at the three grand slams staged so far this season was making the fourth round at the Australian Open. Considering the way that Alize Cornet went after her at Wimbledon, just as Sabine Lisicki had done 12 months earlier, indicates the aura of Williams may finally be fading.
It is up to her disprove that theory, and a good week at Stanford can start that process.
arizvi@thenational.ae
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
