If this the case, I would think she would cite an injury, pull out of the French and try to regroup at Wimbledon..
Serena will play Roland Garos,it was evident she lacked match play,remember she has not played since the AO in February.I feel she still has the motivation or she would have hung up her racket a few years ago.Serena has nothing more to prove,deep down she still wants that 24 GS title.
But the operative word is "Love" Roger , Rafa even Novak and Murray are obsessed with the game of tennis..I think Venus loves the game. I'm not so certain Serena does. (Remember there's few on this board who are bigger Serena Williams FANs than myself..pre the birth of her lovely daughter Olympia..I have Always stated the fiercest competitors in all of sports I have witnessed, Jordan, Kobe, Tiger, Rafa and Serena Williams.. maybe I previously I had Serena ahead of Rafa. It's all about SACRIFICE.
I take your point,though Serena is now married and has a daughter,hinted she would love to have another baby,juggling that and also a professional tennis career is no small feat.
It's such an interesting point that you make, AP, about Serena. She's almost always been distracted by other things in her life, but also (until recently) always great enough to drop in and pick up a big trophy. I think you're right that she loves the competition more than she loves the game, and she loves showing up her detractors. She plays with a bit of a chip on her shoulder, like Novak, if you ask me. Whatever motivates. But now, at 39, and the desire to add to her family, the desire for #25 might not be enough to get her to sacrifice for it...and let's face it, it takes more sacrifice at this age.
I think both girls have outside interests,which to me is a good thing,you can get burnt out mentally with just tennis 24/7....to me that is why both girls still play the game today,they still love competing and still love the game,otherwise they would both have retired long ago.It's such an interesting point that you make, AP, about Serena. She's almost always been distracted by other things in her life, but also (until recently) always great enough to drop in and pick up a big trophy. I think you're right that she loves the competition more than she loves the game, and she loves showing up her detractors. She plays with a bit of a chip on her shoulder, like Novak, if you ask me. Whatever motivates. But now, at 39, and the desire to add to her family, the desire for #25 might not be enough to get her to sacrifice for it...and let's face it, it takes more sacrifice at this age.
I also agree that Venus does, however, play for the love of the game. And to quote one of her more vocal detractors around here who would shove her out of the game...KMA.
Sometimes taking a break from "work" is very mentally therapeutic for many athletes. Michael Jordan's day off he would fly to Vegas or Atlantic City to the casinos even during the championships series games.
That is too bad, but that thing did not sound good. Hope to see her back and healthy soon, though.
