World number one Serena Williams said that the serious foot injury she sustained in 2010 and the life-threatening pulmonary embolism in 2011 have pushed her to elevate her game when she made a return on tour. Her efforts have been rewarded with a return to world number one.
“I didn’t think I would play tennis again after that,” Williams said. “I thought unfortunately that I just wanted to try to survive that moment and then move on. Then I ended up playing again. So I think that definitely built a lot of character in me, and I think it built even more mental toughness. It made me realize I could overcome a lot of things, and obviously had a lot of help, as well. I think all that really, really made me feel like I can do it.”
The American is currently the top seed of the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. She will face Angelique Kerber of Germany on October 22, Tuesday. Williams is the defending champion of this elite event.
