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When Did Serena Williams Win Her Last Clay Court Title?
Serena Williams is bidding to end her prolonged wait for another Grand Slam title at this year’s French Open. But how realistic are her chances of lifting her 24th title at Roland Garros and going level with Margaret Court’s career haul of Major trophies?
The champion hasn’t won a title on clay since beating compatriot Madison Keys to clinch her fourth career Italian Open title in 2016.
No clay court title since Italian Open 2016
Coming out on the winning side of a tricky opening-set tie-break, Serena overpowered Keys in straight sets to lift the Masters 1000 crown. However, a title on dirt has eluded her since.
The three-time French Open champion chose Rome to mark her return to the Tour since her crushing semi-final loss to Naomi Osaka at this year’s Australian Open. However, Serena’s comeback was cut short as she lost her opening game, which was also the 1000th match of her career, to little-known Argentine Nadia Podoroska.
Speaking to reporters after her loss, Serena acknowledged that it wasn’t easy making her comeback on clay as she struggled to find her groove.
She said that on the performance scale, she was way off the mark and needs to get more matches under her belt to build confidence, form and momentum that she can take into Roland-Garros.
The American added that she would sit with her team and figure out how she can get more game time ahead of the French Open.
Serena Williams won her opening match at WTA Parma 2021
Serena later confirmed participation at the Emilia-Romagna Open, a WTA 250 clay court event in Parma, Italy.
Making a wildcard entry to the tournament, Serena opened her campaign with a typically brutal 6-3, 6-2 win over tournament debutante Lisa Pigato of Italy.
However, with the tournament draw including the likes of this year’s Rome semi-finalist Petra Martic, American teen sensation Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Daria Kasatkina and former World No.2 Caroline Garcia, the veteran has a tough road to the title.
However, a win will get the belief and confidence surging back into her systems and get those old limbs going again in Paris.
Still dedicated to her sport and motivated to excel, Serena is quite willing to take the tough road to glory and her fans would hope that Parma has the makings of another successful title-run at the French Open.
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