Google News
Serena Williams says she respects Ajla Tomljanovic and reveals she has been following the Australian in recent weeks. In the US Open third round, Williams will be facing Tomljanovic. For the first time in their careers, Williams and Tomljanovic will meet on a tennis court.
Tomljanovic has had two very notable results this summer as she reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and Cincinnati. Williams has noticed Tomljanovic's results and will definitely not be taking her for granted when they meet.
"I think it's good. She's been playing pretty intense and I've been actually watching her matches a lot. I saw her play last week or a week and a half to go. Yeah, she's been through a lot of injuries, so I kind of respect that.
I think it's going to be a good match. Like I said, I have to be ready for every match," Williams said.
Williams on her mindset at the US Open
On Wednesday, Williams defeated second-seeded Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (4) 2-6 6-2 to progress into the US Open third round.
Williams, who is retiring after this year's US Open, says she has nothing left to prove and she is playing like she has nothing to lose. In 1999, Williams became a Grand Slam champion after winning the US Open. For probably the first time in over 20 years, Williams entered a Grand Slam tournament without being considered as the top favorite for the title.
"I don't have anything to prove. I don't have anything to win. I have absolutely nothing to lose," Williams said. "Honestly, I never get to play like this since '98 really. Literally, I've had an X on my back since '99. It's kind of fun. I really enjoy just coming out and enjoying it. It's been a long time since I've been able to do that."