Au revoir, Serena, comeback queen

Can it really be just six days ago that she took to Court Philippe-Chatrier in the now-signature catsuit, to defeat Kristyna Pliskova? Shortly after that match she held her first press conference in the media room beneath the famous court’s stands – on a steaming Paris evening, the room was packed both with journalists and anticipation.

Now, on the second Monday of the tournament, she has held her fourth and final press conference, in a room impossibly yet more crowded than that first, to confirm her withdrawal with a pectoral injury – the first time she has ever pulled out of a Grand Slam mid-tournament.

In the six days in between, she racked up two more wins, the first an extraordinary turnaround against the No.17 seed Ashleigh Barty, the second a comprehensive dismantling of the No.11 seed Julia Goerges. To describe her prospective fourth round encounter against longtime foe Maria Sharapova as highly anticipated is to all but nullify the frenzied expectation gripping Planet Tennis, matched only by the crashing disappointment of her enforced withdrawal.

“I unfortunately have been having some issues with my pec muscle,” explained Williams, gesturing towards the area of her sternum. “I have never had this before and it’s so painful. It’s been getting worse to the point where right now I can't actually serve.

“The first time I felt it was against Goerges [on Saturday]. It was really painful and I didn't know what it was. In my doubles yesterday [where she and sister Venus lost to the No.3 seeds Andreja Klepac and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez] I wanted to try different tapings and support to see how it would feel under match circumstances. It didn't really get a lot better. I’ll have an MRI scan tomorrow. I won’t know more about when I next play until then.”

With her composure intact, she articulated her sense of frustration.

“I'm beyond disappointed. I love playing Maria – it's a match I always get up for. Her game matches so well against mine. And I gave up so much, from time with my daughter to time with my family. I put everything on the court, all for this moment.

“I have been doing so good. Every match has been getting better. Physically I'm doing great. It hasn't been easy. I sacrificed so much to be at this event. I can only take solace in the fact I'm going to continue to get better. And I had such a wonderful performance in my first Grand Slam back.”

Too right. No one had any idea what to expect here. Even in the week before Roland-Garros, when she was seen practising within the grounds, the very idea of her competing prompted a frisson of excitement and speculation. Plenty of seasoned observers expected her to fail. Not so much, it turned out.

Having eased her way back in against Pliskova, her electrifying comeback from a set and a break down to Barty was thrillingly resourceful, and her reading of Georges’ game left no doubt that Serena is playing like a top 10 contender again.

But for now there is nothing to be done. Nothing except what is sensible.

She is accustomed to receiving career salutes. Laurels are nothing new. But at Roland-Garros 2018, she gave a glimpse of what is yet to come.

So chapeau, Serena. Even though you could not stay… it’s been a blast. Merci.