Serena Williams coach drops concern over US Open title chances amid injury worries

Williams is seen as the strong favourite to win the US Open this year with a large number of the top seeds already being knocked out.

Only Elina Svitolina, the No 5 seed, remains in the draw with a higher ranking than Williams.

Rankings though can often be misconstrued in the women’s game, particularly in Williams’ case who has had to battle with injury issues ever since returning to the game after giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.

But Williams has so far looked close to her best at this year’s US Open championships, that was until she suffered a slight scare against Petra Martic.

While the 37-year-old won in straight sets, she had to have her ankle heavily strapped in tape during the second set after rolling it.

Speaking after the match, Williams attempted to downplay the injury.

And while Mouratoglou is confident the American is close to winning again, he also said movement is key to her game and an ankle injury will certainly hamper her chances.

When asked whether he thought Williams was close to winning Grand Slam No 24, he said: “If not [now], it’s going to be the next one.

“I think time works for her.

“I know it sounds weird because she’s 37 years old and you would think the other way.”

He added: “In her case, time works for her because again she started low physically because of having a baby and she’s building her physical back and she’s getting better and better with time.

“I feel she’s more ready now than she was three months ago.

“I’m just not worrying at all.

“The motivation is still here big time. She wants it. She wants to play. She wants to win as much as before and in this game, the movement is a key.

“When your movement is not right, you can’t perform at the highest level, even if you’re the best player in the world because it hurts you.”

source: express.co.uk