MELBOURNE – No false starts, it appears, for Serena Williams on Saturday, as she prepared to meet Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final.
On the practice court, it was clear at times, when she hit more than three or four balls in a row, that she was more winded than she normally would be.
Here’s what it looked like. She certainly hit the ball hard enough – including the serve. No volleys to speak of, just a few swing volleys at the end.
Coach Patrick Mouratoglou filled in as Sharapova, serving for Williams to return.
This dude probably wins the “Serena fan of the night” award. Actually, they would probably retire that award, if it existed. He has a seat in the stadium, but they might now show him in all of his glory.
Williams waved to the crowd on her way out.
After she left, hitting partner Jonathan Dasnières de Veigy spent some time throwing balls to the crowd that had assembled both courtside and in the walkway above.
(Good pitching form).
Joked with him that back in his playing days, he would never had thrown away so many tennis balls.
He said that the fans are going to think Serena’s team was “really sympa” after that. Spreading the Serena love.