An Exhausted Williams Wins In Istanbul

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 28th October 2013

An Exhausted Williams Wins In Istanbul

epa03927298 Serena Williams of the US holds her trophy after defeating Na Li of China in the final match for the WTA Championships tennis tournament in Istanbul, Turkey, 27 October 2013. EPA/SEDAT SUNA |

Serena Williams was forced to battle both new world no.3 Li Na and her own exhaustion to win a fourth WTA Championships title in Istanbul. Her victory was arguably the most heroic and exacting win of her career, quite possibly demanding of more effort than any of her 17 Grand Slam singles titles or four Olympic gold medals.

After winning almost effortlessly through the group round robin matches at the Williams admitted she was more fatigued than she had ever been throughout a professional career that has spanned a decade and a half, for the semi-final against Jelena Jankovic. “I’m getting older and the years are getting longer so that makes it tough,” said the 32 year who also made a labored start in the final.

Williams is the first champion to defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007 and only the eighth female player to win 11 or more titles in a year; the first since Martina Hingis claimed 12 in 1997.

She played 92 matches of tennis, including doubles, the most she had ever played since first emerging on the circuit in 1997. “It was an awesome year of tennis,” said Williams while maintaining lifting the Billie Jean King trophy had a special significance at the end of the year when the WTA has celebrated its 40th anniversary.

“To end with this trophy after 40 years and after everything we had the celebration for this year, I don’t know if it’s written or what, but it’s just really exciting. I haven’t had a lot of time to think about it, but I’m happy. I’m really happy that I was able to finish it off.”

Williams admitted her energy levels were depleted to almost zero in her three sets win over Jankovic 24 hours earlier. “Honestly. I really didn’t expect to get through this match today,” exclaimed the world no.1 who won 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. “I can’t believe I won. I was so tired. I was a little worried, but I just hung in there and just kept going and going today.”

Just a day earlier it was an even more dramatic story after the win over Jankovic. “I just hit a wall and physically I was so tired,” said Williams. “Totally and completely exhausted. My legs would not move, my arm would hit. I’ve just played so much tennis, more than in my whole career.

“Right now I couldn’t tell you what’s not hurting and my tank is right down on E for empty. I’ve got to try to put something back in time for the final because it’s going to be tough against Li Na and I’ve got to do something in the next 24 hours.”

Serena’s title win took her career earnings past the $US 51 million and distinguished her as the first woman to surpass $12 million in a single season.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Jelena Jankovic, Justine Henin, Li Na, Serena Williams, Tennis, Tennis News, Wta, WTA Championship