Serena Williams Her Choice

Kristina Mladenovic, French tennis player. One of her matches against 

Serena Williams belongs to tennis archives.

Serena Williams is not the first athlete to take a break for personal reasons, and come back after a few years. It was her choice to return after the birth of her daughter.

It was also her choice to either retire gracefully or be remembered as a player who shed tears after a first round loss. The former confident Serena relied on her serve and Autobahn strokes. The latter Serena will be remembered for her apologetic tears.

Old 2018 post about the best of Serena Williams

Kristina Mladenovic ’s finesse in round 3 of Wimbledon 2018 against Serena Williams, can be attributed to burning the midnight oil, working on a game plan.

Although Serena won, the figures 7-5,7-6 are an indication that the game plan worked 80%.  What eroded the 20% were her overhead shots designed to remove Serena from the net because Serena flattened them down Kristina’s baseline, landing high up like Mount Fuji.

The master plan had mini strategies to deal with Serena’s serve, passing shots, the net, backhand, forehand and ground strokes. Kristina also had a plan to combat Serena’s deceptive shots that look like they will land on the porch but land right inside the living room.

Her hidden agenda was to make Serena run, hoping that she is not as athletic as she used to be.  That was a mistake because she did run and saved most of the points, but she is not fit as she was, something she must work on if she continues playing tennis. Kristina also put a top spin on the ball most of the time, but Serena said you ain’t slick and, put them away.

What is memorable about the match is how Kristina successfully returned Serena’s serve, something that results in 6-1, 6-2 for some players.  It is usually 40 love, then game Miss Williams.

The 7-5, 7-6 score is proof that Kristina Mladenovic fought to the finish.  A match for the archives.

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.