Williams relishing the chance to play at US Open

Serena Williams “would love to play” at the US Open, according to her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.

Williams, 38, had an injury-strewn 2019 but recovered to reach the final of last year’s tournament in New York.

The 2020 US Open is set to start on 31 August with strict restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“She’s definitely come back to tennis to win Grand Slams, that’s her goal,” Mouratoglou told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

“For a player to be out of competition is extremely difficult.

“So the US Open will be a first opportunity to win one. There’ll be a lot of restrictions and I have to speak with her to see if she will be able to accept and manage those expectations.”

The former world number one and six-time US Open champion, whose last Grand Slam appearance came at the Australian Open in January where she went out in the third round, started the year by winning the 2020 Auckland Open – her first singles title since becoming a mother in September 2017.

Players including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Nick Kyrgios and Simona Halep have voiced their reservations in staging this year’s event at Flushing Meadows, which could run without supporters or the media.

World number one Djokovic called the proposed protocols “extreme” while Nadal says he has “little desire” to travel to New York.

It is expected that players will only be permitted to have one person to accompany them throughout the tournament, which Mouratoglou says could be an issue for Williams, who prefers to travel with her daughter, Alexis.

“I don’t imagine her being three weeks without her daughter,” the French coach said.

He jokingly added: “So she might have a new coach for the US Open, a bit younger.

“Considering our record in the last seven finals – her daughter might be more successful than me.”

ATP and LTA Tour events are suspended until the end of July – at the earliest.

BBC Sport

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Serena Williams US Open Patrick Mouratoglou

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