[ad_1]
Serena Williams finds it ‘strange’ to have to stay in a hotel during the French Open despite having an apartment in Paris, but the American remains positive as she continues her quest for a record 24 Grand Slam titles.
As part of the COVID-19 protocols, the organizers of the French Open have told all participants to stay in two designated hotels, as opposed to the US Open, which allowed to stay in private accommodations.
Williams was one of the players who rented a private home for the tournament in Flushing Meadows.
“It’s definitely weird. This has always been my home away from home. I always loved being here,” Williams told reporters Saturday.
“It’s been really different for me staying in a hotel when I think, ‘Oh, this is what we normally do.’ I guess it’s a must.”
This year’s clay court Grand Slam was moved from its regular schedule from May to June to late September due to the pandemic. The weather during this year’s event is therefore much cooler.
“I hate the cold. I’m from Los Angeles and I live in Florida. For half my life I’ve never seen snow. Cold weather and I don’t mix. That’s my Achilles heel,” Williams said before breaking out a smile.
“But I’m dealing with it. I’m having a positive attitude about it.”
Williams won the last of her 23 Grand Slam titles in Melbourne in 2017 and has since lost in four finals in her bid to equal Australia’s Margaret Court’s record of 24 major singles titles.
She lost to Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals of her home Grand Slam this month.
“I think a semi-final is always great. Is it great for me? Absolutely not,” Williams said, adding that he was not 100% physically, but had sufficiently recovered from an Achilles problem suffered during the US Open. .
“This is how I feel. This is how I always feel. It is what it is. I’m happy that I can feel that way. I’m in a position in my career where I can’t be satisfied. I don’t want to sit here and say, ‘Oh. I’m happy. ‘Because I’m not. “
Williams, who took a hiatus in 2017 to give birth to her daughter, has not played any competitive matches before the clay-court event at Roland Garros that begins Sunday.
Following the US Open, the American, who turned 39 on Saturday, traveled to her coach’s academy in Nice and concentrated on training and rehabilitation.
“Honestly, I never thought I’d play at my age. I mean, I don’t look like I’m 39,” he said, smiling again.
“But yeah, I don’t know when it’s going to end for me. I just have fun. When I feel like it’s over, it’s over. But I could have guaranteed and bet my life that I wouldn’t have played at 39.
“Overall, I’m a happy and positive person. You just have to be really excited about every moment that life brings you because you don’t know if it will be your last personally.”
