After rolling her right ankle in the match against Petra Martic in the US Open, Serena Williams was in “acceptable” pain, according to her coach.
Williams was in great control after winning the first set; however, in the second set, she took an awkward step and tumbled over while attempting a backhand volley. She had to sit there for some time.
She immediately received medical attention and her trainer strapped her lower right foot. Eventually, Williams won the match, beating Martic by 6-3, 6-4.
Speaking to the ESPN after the match, the 37-year-old said the injury has affected her mentally. She said, “I just rolled it. I don’t know why I was volleying and it just went over.”
“That was frustrating but I wanted to get it compressed really fast. It affected me a little mentally because I’ve had a rough year with injuries. I’m finally walking, but you guys were out here cheering so hard. It really means a lot. It’s a special place for me, so thank you so much,” Williams continued.
Martic said, “She started going for even more, I think. She felt like maybe she couldn’t move that well anymore. Her shots were really precise. Serve was unbelievable. And when she hits those backhands and those first serves that well, it’s not easy to play against her.”
“I didn’t know what to expect from her ball. I knew she (hits it) hard, but until you feel it on your own racket, you just don’t know what to expect,” added Martic.
Williams has not won a single title since she returned to the tour after giving birth to her daughter Olympia two years ago.
Speaking about her parenting, the famous tennis player said, “She was in my arms by now. It was amazing and the best day of my life. Now she is getting a little bit older she is starting to understand – she sees me on TV and says Mamma! – sometimes she sees Venus and she says Mamma!” “I honestly feel so fortunate to be out here playing as a mum, and I know there are so many mums – and dads – out there working,” added Williams.
