“I don’t think Serena’s made up her mind yet” – Match Points excerpt

When Serena Williams put her hand to heart as she exited the Australian Open in the semi-finals last week and then was in tears as she left a press conference soon after, it left people wondering if the 23-time Grand Slam champion had played in Melbourne for the last time.

In the latest episode of Tennis Majors’ Match Points show, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli told host Josh Cohen that she hopes the 39-year-old American continues playing for as long as she chooses.

“I think if there is more disappointment and if her body is letting her down and if she’s carrying another injury like she did in Roland Garros when she had that Achilles injury, I think it’s going to start to be more and more difficult,” Bartoli said. “I don’t think she’s made up her mind yet, I think she’ll see how the rest of 2021 is evolving.”

And Bartoli said the day Serena hangs up her racquets will be a sad one for everyone.

“I can’t imagine when Serena will walk out of the game, I think it’s going to be one of the saddest days that tennis will have to face,” she said. “I just hope she can continue, I just love to see her play.

“I think what’s she’s bringing on the court is far more impressive than just playing tennis. Being a mother myself, going through pregnancy and giving birth, you see how much your body’s changing, it would be impossible for me now to even think about training to get ready for a Grand Slam. After giving birth to Olympia she was trying to get ready and training to win a grand slam, and that in itself is just an accomplishment only a mother can relate to.”