Serena Williams admits her 2012 French Open humiliation helped inspire her to victory in Saturday’s final, her second Paris title coming 11 years after her first.
The 31-year-old became the oldest women’s winner at Roland Garros in the Open era with her 6-4 6-4 victory over defending champion Maria Sharapova for her 16th grand slam singles title.
Since her worst loss at a major 12 months ago in Paris, Williams has captured Wimbledon, Olympic and US Open titles and added the French Open to five other trophies this year.
From the start of the year, she has won 43 matches and lost only two and has a career-best winning streak of 30.
“I think losing in the (2012 French) first round definitely helped me realise I have no points to defend. I have nothing to lose. I can just kind of relax …”
French coach Patrick Mouratoglou described her as an immense champion.
“When she is in that kind of spirit, there is no one who can stop her.”
Williams explained: “I’ve always said a champion isn’t about how much they win but it’s about how they recover from their downs, whether it’s an injury or whether it’s a loss.”
Saturday’s win came via pinpoint groundstrokes and power – in the final game, Williams aced Sharapova three times.
“I’m a lot smaller than Maria, so I don’t know how I’m able to serve so big. I think growing up with (sister) Venus … she’s serving so big, I was like, ‘I want to serve big, too’,” said Williams.
Sharapova was in no mood to disagree.
“At 5-4, she’s serving harder than David Ferrer when he gets to the final of Roland Garros – you know what I mean?”
Sharapova had two points for a 3-0 first-set lead, but Williams broke back and was soon even at 2-2.
She broke again to lead 3-2 but Sharapova managed to level at 4-4. However, the American produced her best tennis in the next game with some big hits down both flanks and then held serve to take the opener in 51 minutes.
Sharapova saved five break points to start the second set but, two games later, she struggled again on serve and Williams converted to go ahead 4-2.
In an ominous warning to rivals, Williams said she had not realised her potential and retirement was not on the agenda as she targeted more grand slam titles.
She is just two majors behind the 18 won by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Steffi Graf racked up 22, while Margaret Court’s record 24 looks safe.
Evidence suggests Sharapova and world No.3 Victoria Azarenka – the only two who can match the American for power – will continue to have their work cut out against a fit and motivated Williams.
“I really believe age is a number at this point, because I have never felt so fit. I feel great – I look great,” she said.