Eurosport presenter Barbara Schett knows it will not be easy for Serena Williams to step onto the court at the US Open, but she also thinks the tennis legend prefers to have drama on the court.
Williams will play the final tournament of her career at the US Open. She announced that earlier this month, shocking millions of fans worldwide since the former world No. 1 only returned from 12 months out with an injury at Wimbledon.
Williams is always the most significant female draw at the US Open. However, despite the year's final Grand Slam not starting for a few days, the media scrutiny surrounding the 23-time Grand Slam champion has been relentless.
Although Williams' performances at the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open were not near the level required to challenge for the US Open, her former coach, Rick Macci, refused to rule out her chances since she has won it six times.
Speaking on Eurosport, Schett says there is added pressure on Williams because the tennis world will be focused on her. The 40-year-old is used to big occasions, but the pressure of ending her career is not one she has experienced.
"I think it's going to be very emotional for her because she knows the whole tennis world is going to watch her. I'm sure we are going to be sitting there. If she plays a night session, we're going to watch it live, and that adds pressure, that's for sure."
Although Williams' final tournament promises to be emotional, Schett thinks the seven-time Wimbledon champion wants the attention because she likes matches to be dramatic with fans involved.
"But we know that Serena Williams, she likes drama on the court. She's very emotional on court, and she likes to have people involved. It's a show for her."
"It's entertainment for her out there, and it's not going to be easy to step out there for her. So Serena wants the attention, she wants people to be aware, and let's not forget, she's not retiring, she's evolving.”
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