By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, January 9, 2019
"Champions are greedy in the sense of they want to keep racking up the Grand Slams and Serena's in a position where she can break some records in the tennis world," says Hall of Famer Chrissie Evert.
Photo credit: Hopman Cup
Working mom Serena Williams spent the offseason recharging and the new season reconnecting.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion brought buzz to the sports world squaring off against Roger Federer at Hopman Cup in a GOAT-fest turned global party then hit with former flame Grigor Dimitrov during this Australian Open practice week.
Listen: Ode To Hopman Cup
Four months after a haunting major meltdown at the US Open, Williams arrives at the Happy Slam in a much more relaxed state of mind.
The 16th-ranked Serena brings serenity to Oz.
Hall of Famer Chrissie Evert says her fear factor remains strong.
At the age of 37, Serena still scares Australian Open contenders for two good reasons:
1. They know she wasn't 100 percent last season yet still contested two Grand Slam finals.
2. She is driven to equal Margaret Court's all-time Grand Slam record by capturing her 24th major singles crown down under and has had four months, to rest, recharge and reboot this major mission
A determined Serena is a dangerous champion and the favorite to win the Australian Open the ESPN analyst told the media today in a conference call to promote ESPN's Melbourne coverage which begins on Sunday night.
"She does seem very, very relaxed... she does seem fitter than she was last year," Evert told the media. "The scary thought: The women have to be thinking at this point Oh my gosh, I mean she was like 60 to 70 percent last year reaching two Grand Slam finals and now she seems fitter, she seems leaner, she's moving better.
"She's fresher and we all know Serena is very dangerous when she's fit and when she's healthy. And you always know that the motivation is going to be there with or without a family. She had it when she was single maybe she has it even more so now proving her platform of being a working mother maybe that is really getting her all revved up and motivating her even more."
Echoing Gordon Gekko's Wall Street philosophy, Evert argues Grand Slam greed is good and believes a fulfilling family life will not diminish Williams' desire to make history as the tennis' all-time Grand Slam singles ruler.
"Before maybe she couldn't get away (from tennis) as much," Evert said. "But now, she's married, she has a child, she has a rich life. So I think she's raring to go. Champions are greedy in the sense of they want to keep racking up the Grand Slams and Serena's in a position where she can break some records in the tennis world."
It won't be easy.
Given the fact eight different women have claimed the past eight Grand Slam titles, the 18-time Grand Slam champion calls handicapping this Australian Open "a crapshoot."
Oddschecker lists the seven-time Australian Open champion, who has reached the final in her last three appearances down under, as the favorite at 9 to 2 followed by the last two women to defeat Williams in Grand Slam play.
Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber, who defeated Williams at SW19 and in the 2016 Australian Open final, is the second favorite at 9 to 1.
US Open champion Naomi Osaka, who swept Williams, 6-2, 6-4, in the controversial 2018 US Open final and Shenzhen champion Aryna Sabalenka, who pushed Osaka to three sets in the US Open round of 16, are both listed at 12 to 1 to win Melbourne.
"It's a definite crapshoot.," Evert said. "In the last eight Slams eight different winners. It's a joke when people say who's your pick? I never in a million years thought Osaka would win the US Open and I never thought Kerber would win Wimbledon.
"You always count on Serena to win Grand Slams. On form I think Serena looked good at the Hopman Cup and her fitness seems to be improved, she looks leaner, she's moving better that serve is still working she was giving the men's problem in mixed doubles which I love.
"I think Osaka is reliable and I think she's gotten some matches in and I think she's gonna go in pretty confident, Kerber also. And so those three I would say (are favorites) and Sabalenka, she's the one we need to watch for this year."
ESPN analyst and former U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe says there is no doubt who will win the Australian Open—and he insists it won't be Serena or any other former major champion.
"I'm telling you here right now that the winner of the Australian Open women's side is going to be Aryna Sabalenka," McEnroe said. "She's gonna win the Australian Open. The courts are quick, as Chrissie said, she's gonna make a breakthrough this year and I say why not happen at the Australian Open.
"I think it's more likely we're gonna see more first-time winners this year, like we've seen in the past, because no one's been able to dominate other than Serena at times. It's wide open but I'm going with Sabalenka to win it."