Szlia
Member
I only saw the last few points, so here is a chunk of the post match interview that sheds some light on what happened on court:
Serena Williams without her serve and backhand is a much less formidable opponent, but then again, Stephens still had to fight against the aura and will of her idol and the pressure of this momentous occasion to reach the semi of a slam. Many would have beat themselves, but Stephens managed to keep enough composure to prevail. It should also be mentioned that she played a decent first set, winning to love three service games and saving two out of three break points in a fourth.Q. You were serving at about 130 kilometer an hour after the back problem. What exactly happened? Was it tight?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, a few days ago it just got really tight and I had no rotation on it. I went for this dropshot in the second set and it just locked up on me, so...
I think that it just I couldn't really rotate after that, which I guess is normal. I don't know.
Q. That point where it happened, can you talk us through that moment.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, I was running to the net for a dropshot. As I went to hit it, it was on the backhand. I even screamed on the court. I was like, Ahh. I totally locked up after that. It was just like it was a little painful.
But, I mean, it's okay. It was what it was.
Q. When you went off court, what sort of treatment did you have? Did you take any antiinflammatories?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, there's only so much you can do for that. Not too much you can do. Just tried to have it loosened up a little bit. I'm always on antiinflams for my ankle, so you can't do too much more.
Q. Did it feel better when you came back on? Were you freer?
SERENA WILLIAMS: No. It was still tough. It's hard to rotate to the backhand. It was giving me trouble. But it was fine. I think my opponent played well and was able to do a really good job.
Q. The microphones on court picked up you saying this has been the worst two weeks. What did you mean by that?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I've had a tough two weeks between the ankle, which is like this big every day, and my back, which started hurting. A lot of stuff, so...
It was what it was.