Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
After losing to Elena Dementieva in the semis of the Sydney International yesterday, Serena Williams was her ever graceful self, scoffing at the No. 1 ranking that Croat Jelena Jankovic will carry into the Australian Open, which begins play on Monday.
“Best player?” Serena said with a laugh, in reference to Jankovic. “Uh, no. I don’t think anyone is better than me.”Those fighting words no doubt will stoke what promises to be a fiery women’s draw in Melbourne, as that coveted No. 1 spot will be up for grabs along with the women’s singles title at the year’s first Slam. Either Serena, Dementieva or Dinara Safina could all nab the WTA’s top ranking from Jankovic, should they triumph at the Aussie.
Later on in her presser, however, Williams acknowledged that by far the hotter speculation down under is in reference to the men’s and not the women’s draw. After she dissed Jankovic and sang her own praises for a while, Serena was asked who she thought was the favorite in Melbourne. Without missing a beat she smiled and said, “Either Andy Murray or Nadal. But you can never count Roger Federer out.”
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Now would be as good of a time as ever for Jelena to win a big tournament. Shut that Serena up.
by npcPronk29 on Jan 15, 2009 12:13 PM EST reply actions
ITHINK SERENA IS THE BEST FEMALE TENNIS PLAYER IN THE WORLD.ISN,T SHE #2 IN THE WORLD?
by BEANAMAE on Jan 15, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply actions
Sorry, U CAN’T SHUT-UP GREATNESS. IT must be the "G". HA, Ha.
by mikeMike on Jan 19, 2009 10:16 AM EST reply actions
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