MELBOURNE (Australia): Serena Williams said that she almost skipped Australian Open if it hadn’t been delayed over the coronavirus.
Serena, who beat Daria Gavrilova in her Yarra Valley Classic opener in Melbourne, suffered the injury at last year’s US Open then withdrew from the French Open before the second round, ending her 2020 campaign.
“I couldn’t practice because of my achilles,” said Serena. “I needed time. I don’t think I would have been here if it was during the regular season. (The delay) was an unwanted blessing.”
The 39-year-old, who will launch her latest attempt for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title next week, got extra time to recover when the Open was postponed for three weeks over coronavirus complications.
“I definitely was pushing the limits, but I’m here.”
An aggressive Williams showed no outward sign of injury as she beat home hope Gavrilova 6-1, 6-4 in the build-up tournament on Monday.
The seven-time Australian Open champion started sluggishly, losing the first three points on serve, before quickly overpowering the Australian.
Gavrilova, ranked 451, was overmatched against her idol but used her speed around the court to make Williams work harder in a more competitive second set.
The American, though, had all the answers and it was a sharp performance from Williams, who lifted the intensity in her second match back after defeating world number three Naomi Osaka in an exhibition in Adelaide on Friday.
Williams, looking to get matches under her belt before the Australian Open, will next play Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria in the round of 16.
The two WTA events are being played concurrently at Melbourne Park as players prepare for the Australian Open starting on February 8.
