Serena: I'm Not Myself Yet

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NEW YORK—Serena Williams is looking a lot like her old dominant self charging to within one win of the greatest Grand Slam record.

But the 23-time Grand Slam champion confesses she doesn't feel like herself.

More: Serena Streaks Into 31st Slam Final

Williams won 12 of the final 13 games roaring past Anastasija Sevastova into her ninth US Open final.

A year after giving birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Williams will play for her 24th Grand Slam crown, which would equal Margaret Court's all-time record.

The 36-year-old Serena says physically she hasn't yet returned to full form.

"I definitely don't feel myself yet. I'm definitely not there," Williams told the media. "I don't feel like me. I think it takes time. My mom said it takes, like, a full year to kind of get back. I'm at a full year now. But I'm also playing a sport professionally. The emotions and expectations and all the other stuff that you add on top of it, it's a lot, you know."

Williams said her playing weight is lower now than it was when she beat sister Venus to win her 23rd Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open, but her weight is distributed differently.

"I just feel like I'm definitely not there," Williams said. "Even my body is different. Like, I actually weigh less than I did before I got pregnant, but it's distributed differently now."

The six-time US Open champion, who turns 37 in 20 days, concedes she may never return to her pre-pregnancy physical peak, but believes she will continue to progress as she plays more matches.

"My stomach is a little bigger, but it's just so different, even though I'm less," said Williams, who is contesting just her seventh tournament of the season. "I'm still waiting to get to be the Serena that I was, and I don't know if I'll ever be that physically, emotionally, mentally. But I'm on my way. I feel like I still have a ways to go. Once I get there, I'll be able to play even hopefully better."

Photo credit: US Open Facebook

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