A scream of pain
As Serena Williams lay on the grass of Wimbledon after announcing before her match against Daniela Hantuchova that she felt healthy again, the collective tennis world wondered what was wrong.
It looked like she had pulled up with a calf cramp.
After winning the first set and being down in the second 4-1, Williams rallied to a 5-4 lead with Hantuchova serving. At 15-15, Hantuchova bounced both her serves. After the next point, Williams was walking to the service line when the turf appeared to grab her a bit.
She had said during the break at 5-4 something that sounded like "calf and thigh," but it wasn't completely audible. Points later her left calf cramped up. She hit at it with her racket while standing on one leg. Then she collapsed.
After some treatment and an attempt at stretching, the trainer brought out the bag of ice. With the application of the bag, Williams let out a scream of pain that seems like it would have come from Dakota Fanning's mouth.
What is even more amazing is that after taking the medical timeout, Williams came back, conceded the game and took service.
She served using only the power in her arm and forced a tiebraker, winning the game point at 30 on a 110 mph serve. Yes, she was only using her arm for the power.
In the tiebreaker, Williams went down 4-0, won two points and was changing sides.
Then the rains came.
At this point, it's 6-2 6-6 (2-4) Williams, and it's just been reported that the injury is a spasm-induced calf strain. This is not going to get better today. The clouds are starting to part, according to the ESPN crew, and Williams is going to have to make a choice — play with pain and see what happens in the next two days (if she wins the tiebreak; I doubt she'll play the third set) or retire now and reduce the risk of further injury.
It looked like she had pulled up with a calf cramp.
After winning the first set and being down in the second 4-1, Williams rallied to a 5-4 lead with Hantuchova serving. At 15-15, Hantuchova bounced both her serves. After the next point, Williams was walking to the service line when the turf appeared to grab her a bit.
She had said during the break at 5-4 something that sounded like "calf and thigh," but it wasn't completely audible. Points later her left calf cramped up. She hit at it with her racket while standing on one leg. Then she collapsed.
After some treatment and an attempt at stretching, the trainer brought out the bag of ice. With the application of the bag, Williams let out a scream of pain that seems like it would have come from Dakota Fanning's mouth.
What is even more amazing is that after taking the medical timeout, Williams came back, conceded the game and took service.
She served using only the power in her arm and forced a tiebraker, winning the game point at 30 on a 110 mph serve. Yes, she was only using her arm for the power.
In the tiebreaker, Williams went down 4-0, won two points and was changing sides.
Then the rains came.
At this point, it's 6-2 6-6 (2-4) Williams, and it's just been reported that the injury is a spasm-induced calf strain. This is not going to get better today. The clouds are starting to part, according to the ESPN crew, and Williams is going to have to make a choice — play with pain and see what happens in the next two days (if she wins the tiebreak; I doubt she'll play the third set) or retire now and reduce the risk of further injury.
Labels: Grand Slams, WTA
Served Up by Ben. at 7/02/2007 12:41:00 PM
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