Early Friday there was quite the buzz on Twitter as Marion Bartoli reported on French TV that Serena Williams was dealing with an adductor injury. The news didn’t come as a shock, as Williams took several hours before coming to press after her three-set quarterfinal victory over Yulia Putintseva on Friday.
After Friday’s 7-6(7), 6-4 victory over Kiki Bertens, Williams very reluctantly admitted that there was an issue (or did she?).
Lindsay Davenport, commentating for Tennis Channel, also brought up the subject during the first set of Williams’ match. “Serena also doesn’t look to be moving at 100 percent,” she said. “She was late for press last night, it took her over two and a half hours to get to press. Dealing with the trainers and trying to get an adductor on and better for today’s match.”
Here’s the snippet of Williams’ reply about the injury from the transcript:
Q. Marion Bartoli said during her commentary that you were having issues with your adductor, that you were getting treatment on. Is that correct?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I heard she said that. I don't know. I'll have to ask her.
Q. From your point of view, being the one with the adductor, is that correct?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah I have had some issues, but, you know, it is what it is.
Williams will meet Garbiñe Muguruza in Saturday’s final, which will be her fourth match in four days. She is bidding for her 22nd major title, which would tie her with Steffi Graf at the top of the all-time Open Era title list.