Serena Williams has outlined her concerns about the challenges facing her growing popularity following her US Open win.
Williams won her first Grand Slam singles title at the 1999 U.S. Open, defeating Martina Hingis in the final, 6-3, 7-6(4). In the same year, she also won the women’s doubles championship at the New York Grand Slam with her sister Venus Williams, defeating Chanda Rubin and Chanda Rubin 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the final. Sandrine Testard.
During a press conference after her doubles win, Serena Williams was asked about the potential impact winning her first Grand Slam singles title would have on her life. The American said her life would undoubtedly change and humorously suggested it couldn’t be any worse than before.
“I think things are definitely going to change. Things were bad before I won the competition, so I really can’t imagine if it’s going to get worse. I really don’t think it’s going to get worse, to be honest with you,” Serena Williams said.
When told that her father, Richard Williams, claimed he wouldn’t be able to go out after her win, Serena revealed that she already was. She revealed that she has not even been able to roam the streets since the start of the US Open and she expects this to continue after her win.
“That’s probably true. I mean, it’s literally impossible for me to go out now. It’s like there’s no real difference. I can’t go anywhere. From the beginning of the game, I couldn’t walk down the street. During the last game, I might not be able to attend either,” she said.
Serena Williams stressed that she faced similar challenges in her hometown in California, where people kept honking at her while she was driving. She expressed concern that the conditions were “deadly” because they had the potential to cause major accidents.
“It’s all the same. You’re driving and people are honking their horns. It’s actually kind of annoying. You know, you could get into a major accident (laughter). I mean, really. It’s fatal. It’s just Something you wouldn’t do.” “I don’t want this to happen,” she added.
Serena Williams won six U.S. Open titles in her career
Serena Williams has won six of her 23 Grand Slam titles at the U.S. Open. After winning her first title in 1999, she defeated her sister and two-time defending champion Venus Williams 6-4, 6-3 in the 2002 final.
The American then triumphed at the 2008 New York Major, defeating Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5 in the pinnacle showdown. She defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in the 2012 final and won her fourth U.S. Open title.
In 2013, Williams defeated Azarenka 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-1 in a rematch of last year’s final and successfully defended her title. She defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3 in the 2014 final for her third consecutive title and sixth U.S. Open title.