This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
January 6, 2020
Serena Williams is back in Auckland, New Zealand, for the WTA Classic, a tournament she infamously described as 'miserable' two years ago. The 38-year-old tennis star is determined to put that experience behind her and make a fresh start.
Williams, the world number 10, will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first round of singles, a match she is looking forward to as she has a 10-3 record against her long-time rival.
"I'm in a really different frame of mind," Williams said ahead of her opening match on day one, a marquee doubles appearance partnering Caroline Wozniacki. "I'm not pregnant, as a start, so that works, so I can only do good now," she joked with journalists.
Williams' past experience in Auckland was marred by her being unaware that she was six weeks pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia at the time. She has since reflected on those memories, calling them 'surreal and crazy'.
"I just remember it was windy and being angry, hating my now husband (Alexis Ohanian). I was like 'I can't stand you and I don't know why,'" she said.
Despite her quick exit in 2017, Williams went on to win the Australian Open for her 23rd major title, but has not won a tournament since. She is banking on Auckland setting her up for an unprecedented 24th major title at the Australian Open later in the month.
Meanwhile, the Auckland tournament has been hit with the late withdrawal of seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko due to 'personal reasons', joining Canadian Bianca Andreescu who pulled out last month due to her ongoing knee problems.
