Wimbledon: Williams' biggest threat is herself as she looks to complete Serena-slam

Steeped in tradition and universally beloved, Wimbledon is undoubtedly the tournament in tennis. The two weeks of competition on the hallowed grass courts at the All England Club is the apex of the tennis calendar. This year’s edition has an added intriguing layer of potential significant historical connotations with women’s world number one and hot favourite Serena Williams on a pathway for eternal greatness. If she wins her sixth Wimbledon, Williams would have once again achieved the ‘Serena Slam’. She last held all four majors simultaneously when she won the Australian Open in 2003.

That would mean she just needs to win her pet event the US Open – where she has won the last three times – to achieve the coveted calendar slam, a monumentally difficult feat not accomplished since Steffi Graf in 1988.

This year marks the first time Williams has come to Wimbledon as the defending champion of the Australian and French opens. She is submitting a truly memorable season for the ages, where she has compiled a 33-1 record, made all the more incredible that she is at tennis’ ripe age of 33 years old.

She is head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, as evidenced by her decade long psychological stranglehold over her nearest rival Maria Sharapova. It’s reminiscent of when Tiger Woods was dominating golf throughout the 2000s; you just expect Williams to win even when she’s not necessarily playing at her best. Her aura of invincibility has never been stronger.

Many observers believe it is a mere formality Williams remains unconquered in majors this year, such is the gulf between her and the rest of the competition. But Wimbledon has a knack of surprising, as Williams has struggled there recently and fallen before the quarter finals since she last held aloft the trophy in 2012.

Wimbledon, uniquely played on grass courts, can conjure unexpected results because big hitters, powerful servers and those gifted at the net significantly come into play. Big serving Sabine Lisicki, and strong grass-court players such as defending champion Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka could easily get hot on their day. They, and some others, potentially loom as dangerous threats to Williams.

Williams will need to navigate through a tricky draw if she’s going to achieve the ‘Serena Slam’. Her sister Venus is a potential fourth round opponent. Having recently turned 35, Venus is no longer the force she was throughout the 2000s but as a five-time Wimbledon champion, her high voltage game and wealth of experience always commands respect.

In the quarter finals, Serena could meet either Azarenka or Ana Ivanovic, both former number ones and with the type of games that can be bothersome to counter on grass. Sharapova looms in the semis and despite her atrocious record against Williams, would be somewhat comforted that her last victory against her foe was at Wimbledon, albeit in 2004.

But let’s be honest. Williams is too powerful, experienced and confident to lose. Simply, she’s just better than the rest.

Williams’ biggest obstacle will probably be herself. She occasionally can get disenchanted or even merely bored by her dominance. Five times during the recent French Open, Williams needed three sets to win. Her incomparable resolve was once again rightfully lauded, but Williams was also granted some lady luck in being able to continually dig herself out of trouble.

If she has slow starts, or her game inexplicably crumbles for a stretch, Williams may not be able to pull off another comeback epic, particularly on grass where the fast paced intensity can make matches hurl along at breakneck speed. For three set matches, a bad 30-minute stretch often means the death knell. Thus, Williams will need to ensure her focus is maintained for the duration of matches.

The quick turnaround from the French Open’s clay surface to the grass of Wimbledon has been the downfall of many over the years. Williams has not played since triumphing at Roland Garros, believing rest and her wealth of experience will counter the lack of practice on grass.

Just once, during her magical 2002 season, has Serena captured both the French Open and Wimbledon consecutively. Only 10 players, both in men’s and women’s, have ever been able to complete the daunting back-to-back triumphs in the Open era. Rafael Nadal (twice) and Roger Federer are the only other players to have conquered the feat this millennium.

For Williams to conquer the accomplishment 13 years apart is another footnote in her incredible list of achievements and speaks volumes of her longevity.

While she is the overwhelming favourite, the expectations could be suffocating. Graf recently spoke of the feverish pressure swirling around her in 1988 as she chased history. “I remember above all the extreme fatigue I felt in New York,” Graf told French sports newspaper L’Equipe. “I was feeling the expectation around me that wasn’t mine and that was becoming suffocating. It was terrible.”

For many, it seems a fait accompli that Williams will once again be celebrating championship glory. But there will be tough hurdles to overcome before her dreams of a sixth Wimbledon, the ‘Serena Slam’ and the French Open/Wimbledon double are materialised.

Despite the enormous expectations, internal pressures and a slew of opponents clamouring to take her down, Williams remains the safest bet to win Wimbledon and move agonisingly close to a coveted calendar slam. Until she’s beaten, it’s wise to always bank on Serena Williams, who’s continuing to stake her claim as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time.