Sulky Serena stifles sobs as tennis reality sets in

By Bill Scott Jun 26, 2005, 11:39 GMT

Serena Williams of the USA in action against compatriot Jill Craybas during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Saturday 25 June 2005. (EPA/GERRY PENNY)

Two-time champion Serena was reduced to a sobbing wreck after losing listlessly to American journeywomen Jill Craybas, at 85th the lowest ranked player to even beat her.

Serena, the 2002 and 2003 champion and and winner of five other Grand Slams, isn't sure whether she can stand to be in watch when the unheralded Craybas gets a crack at Venus, ranked 14th for a place in the quarter-finals.

As is her usual practise, Serena immediately played the blame game, giving little credit to the best effort of the modest Craybas career.

In between sniffles and sobs, the wannabe Hollywood diva, entertainer and fashion designer said she didn't know what hit her - but whatever it was, she didn't like it.

"I'm just used to winning these kind of matches. It's hard when you go out there and you can't make a shot and you've been making them for years. It's like, it's a battle."

She gave the 30-year-old Craybas short shrift: "I think she just got balls back. She didn't do anything -- she didn't have to do anything exceptionally well.

"She just pretty much had to show up."

The American winner, who has never reached the second week of a major since here career began in 1998 after graduating from university with a telecommunications degree in 1996, said her attitude has changed in recent years.

"As soon as I walked on the court, I just felt like we were equals. And I think that made a big difference to me."

One Williams or another, it will be all the same to the California-based Craybas. "I'll think the same way," she said of Monday's match-up with Venus, the 2002 and 2001 champion who has not won a Slam in four years and is just hanging onto a place in the Top 20.

"I've gotten to a different place for myself, as far as mentally where I am and as far as how I view my tennis now."

Serena, whose lifestyle keeps her spread thin between all of her interests, grudgingly admitted that she came into the Wimbledon fortnight well under-done.

"I definitely think it's important for me to practise harder than what I have been," she said. "I've never been big on practising. I've kind of just been all about playing. I think there's some places that I can work harder at."

With her tears temporarily stifled, the trademark Williams bravado - sounding a bit hollow - returned: "I think Venus is playing well here," she said of her sister who splits here time between tennis and interior design.

"I think Venus will pretty much win the next round and go from there."

But with the reality of a prolonged tennis slump starting to sink in Serena admitted that she might not have the stomach to actually watch the match

"If I'm here, I'll watch. If not, I don't watch her on TV - I get too nervous."