"I even told the physio, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to play because this is just not looking good. I actually was really bad last night," she said.
"And then they helped me out. I hit a little bit today in the morning and I hit them pretty well. I was just like, OK, I have been playing for over 30 years. I know I can at least play tennis. After that I just went out to play a match."
The match turned out to be disjointed with both players being unable to play well at the same time, resulting in a roller-coaster of a clash.
Williams started powerfully and was a set and 4-1 up before her serve deserted her.
Safarova then took over winning the second on a tie-break and was a break up in the decider before Williams resurfaced to reel off the last six games for the win.
"I got so frustrated. I was just so angry with myself," said Williams who was given a warning for swearing at one point.
"I pretty much gave the match away. I think she played really well. But at the same time, I gave it to her. I started hitting double faults. I was really frustrated with myself. I just had to pull it together."
Next up for Williams will be Wimbledon which starts in three weeks time when a title win would give her possession of all four Grand Slam crowns at the same time - a feat she already achieved when she won the Australian Open in 2003.
"I haven't done great at Wimbledon the past two years, so I'm going to take it a day at a time there," she said.
"My goal is just to do better than in the last couple of years. That's the one I've been struggling at so hopefully I will be able to play a little better there.
"I mean it's perfect for my game, so now that my arm is better I'm hoping to get better there."
1 comment:
Shee is a champion
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