Serena the Champion Deposes Injury

For those that think Serena Williams doesn't care about tennis and hasn't for some time - reconsider. Williams injured her thigh between points while up a set on and on serve at 5-5 in the second set today. Williams cringed and yelped in pain as the tournament trainer attempted to relieve her muscle spasms. Williams forefeited the next two points, presumably in the hopes of mustering out a service-game win and a tossup tiebreaker. Then the rain gods reigned supreme - slowing Hantuchova's attempt to win the breaker and race through the third set. When play resumed Serena lost the breaker but unleashed her uncanny power game. "Going for broke is all I could do pretty much. You know, I have that game," Serena reminded. Serena's backhand returns seemed to scoff at Hantuchova's second serve, daring it to come at its normal slow pace. Serena was Serena - slamming winners, yelling and egging herself on. She was the old Serena - the-best-player-in-the-world Serena. "I just decided at one point, you know, it was over and I was going to die trying," Williams said. "I figured my heart wouldn't give out, so I had a good chance of making it." Comments like this are the reflection of gutty champions. Whether or not Serena was feeling better in the third set really doesn't matter to me - the fact that she gave herself a chance to get there does. To me the chance she gave herself reflects more on her willingness and ability to wait out such a dire circumstances, rather than her unprecedented physical talent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't Be Surprised

Williams glided to a 6-1, 6-2 Australian Open victory over Maria Sharapova when many thought her health should have kept her from playing in the tournament. Williams then mounted a charge at the French Open before falling to Justin Henin-Hardenne in the Quarterfinals, despite looming health concerns. Williams didn't impress herself or others in the match. Wimbledon commentators readily recall the lulling performance. Serena conceded her lackluster effort also, but she wasn't too impressed by Henin's performance either. Williams has been eying the imminent quarterfinal against Henin since the draw was unveiled. But she didn't get ahead of herself before the match began nor flail out when tested. Wake up bandwagon tennis fans - this champion's reemergence ensues.