What was the matter with her?
Tennis star Serena Williams (40) is often a woman of clear words. But before the start of the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon on Monday, the American was taciturn. She was asked about many critical issues, both social and sporting. Their answers: monosyllabic.
For example when it came to whether she would buy Chelsea FC or any other football club as she is associated with a consortium that was planning to do so: “I am an investor. Whenever an opportunity arises, I always have a keen interest, especially in sports. I have always had a natural love for sports.”
Nothing more came, not even any specific information about the club from coach Thomas Tuchel. That continued when it came to her goal for Wimbledon: “You know the answer.” That’s it, even if the answer is of course correct. She wants her 24th Grand Slam title.
Even on the US Supreme Court’s misogynistic decision to allow states to ban abortions, Williams is almost silent. “I haven’t made up my mind about what I’d be willing to share right now,” she explained.
One of America’s most influential and opinionated moms steps back on an issue that’s rocking the world. Does she really have a different opinion? Or is she planning a campaign with a sponsor against this decision?
Coco Gauff, just 18 years old, became clear on this question. “I’m obviously disappointed with the decision. I feel sorry for women now and in the future, but I also feel sorry for those who have protested for decades. I feel like we’re going backwards,” she said.
Foto: Getty Images
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Sentences that Williams would have looked good on, especially when she put an 18-year-old in front of her. She ended her statement with an appeal: “I would still like to encourage people to raise their voices and not to be discouraged. We can definitely change something and hopefully it will come to that.”
Back to Williams. She also said next to nothing about the exclusion of Russians and Belarusians in Wimbledon. “Another difficult subject. It’s a lot about politics, I want to stay out of it.”
Photo: John Walton/dpa
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She doesn’t say a word about the fact that for the first time in over ten years Patrick Mouratoglou (52) is not at her side as her coach. “I didn’t think about that. But it feels good, I’m having a wonderful time here.” Ice-cold words…
Only that she named her dog after Rafael Nadal (36), she said with a laugh. To be more precise, her four-legged friend is called Christopher Chip Rafael Nadal. The hope remains that Williams solves critical phases on the pitch better than she answers critical questions.
