"Age is just a number!": Serena Williams

I love Serena Williams. She is a great player, a living legend, a vivid example of a brilliant athlete. Today she has won her 19th Grand Slam Title at Rod Laver Arena after beating World number 2 Maria Sharapova in 2 sets: 6-3, 7-6(5).

As Masha can not beat her since 2004, it is a big pressure for her to play against Serena. As a result, she was so dull at the first set, her legs were slow, her services were not that good. Serena found an early break at the beginning of the set and after a rain delay, she could keep that advantage. First set goes to Serena 6-3.

In the second set, Masha was different, she found her balance, could keep her service games, and so it was much better for us to watch the match. Long rallies, goos shots, motivated players.. In that sense, i always think that, what happens sunddenly and a player becomes more effective on court? When the pressure goes or a player can focus on what to do, game changes easily. I believe at high level players, who are so close to each other in a sense of technical capacity and skills, mental power and focusing on game is the key to success. There are some moments in matches that champion players can do constantly and differently than other ones. They can handle pressure better, they have a strong belief inside, they can focus and keep on doing on court what needs to be done. If Masha could take the second set, it may have changed the result today. But Serena kept going what she had to do. Second set was exciting to watch, player can effect each other in a good way or a bad way. When opponent is better, you become better. Serena was better too, when Sharapova showed her good services and her surprising net shots more. She did a great job not to lose her focus and took the second set 7-6 and won the title. Even her Champoionship point was great, with an ace, she showed everyone as Mladenovic tweeted early in the match: This serve is the best in the business!

Last year, Nike used a slogan for Serena after another Grand Slam Championship: "Age is just a number" Athletes like Serena Williams at age of 33, proves to world that you can win anything if you have enough desire, dedication and belief!

Congratulations Serena Williams!!!



*Photo taken from Australian Open FB Page. 
"Age is just a number" quoted from Nike campaign.