Contenders bidding to thwart Serena Williams’ on-court pursuits know full well to dismiss any apparent nonchalance from the world No.1.
Behind the poker face fielding questions on the eve of her 17th Wimbledon campaign is a woman grappling with her position on the brink of history. She appears unperturbed. But naturally there is an element of nerves at play. Her results in her past three majors would suggest as much.
For the fourth straight major, the American arrives as the overwhelming favourite to equal Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles.
She suffered a monumental meltdown in last year’s US Open semi-finals when, two matches shy of completing a first calendar Grand Slam, she fell to Roberta Vinci. Now, for the first time in her career, she arrives at SW19 having lost back-to-back Grand Slam finals.
In Melbourne she succumbed to Angelique Kerber’s relentless defence and in Paris she was simply hit off the court by Garbiñe Muguruza. It doesn’t happen often.
If the weight of history is having some bearing on her results Williams is not about to admit it. “Honestly, I don't feel any pressure. I feel good and confident,” she said.
“This year I don't feel as much tension as I usually do. Well, there's some years I haven't felt any tension either. I'm feeling pretty good. I don't feel any pressure or stress.”
While choosing not to dwell on any of her losses, Williams was not entirely dismissive of her two Grand Slam finals defeats this season. Even at 34, there are lessons to take from on-court disappointments.
“I think it's important to learn from every loss that you have,” she said. “I think I usually do throughout my whole career. I have been able to learn a lot, to come off, to come back a much better player.”
Williams faces Macedonia-born Swiss Amra Sadikovic, a 27-year-old who came out of retirement last year to qualify for her first Grand Slam main draw at this year’s Championships.
Williams concedes she knows little about her unheralded opponent. Her coach Patrick Mouratoglou will take care of that.
“Honestly, it doesn't matter who I play,” Williams said. “I'm definitely ready to start playing at this point. I'm kind of over practising every day for two hours, then going to the gym for some time.”
It is not the first time Williams has struggled with the weight of history. She took four attempts to reach Grand Slam No.18 to draw level with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
When she won last’s year Wimbledon title at 33, she became the oldest winner of a Grand Slam title. But she has won just won tour title since.
And there is now more at stake than matching Graf. Should Williams bow out before this year’s Wimbledon final and if Muguruza claims her second straight Grand Slam title, the Spaniard would dethrone the American atop the rankings.
Contenders are showing signs of closing the gap, though they would be foolish to assume her demise from top spot.
