Serena Williams (AFP Photo / Carl de Souza)
“Sometimes I think I'm from Russia”
Published 23 June, 2009, 13:52
Two-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams has conceded it’s difficult to remember who’s who on the women's tour as there are so many Russians in the sport, AP reports.
After a winning start at the year’s main grass event, Williams will face Jarmila Groth of Australia in the second round.
Williams and Groth had previously met in 2008 at the Australian Open, but when asked about her next opponent, who recently changed her name from Gajdošová, Serena really had to search her memory.
“I just know the standard: Everyone is from Russia,” Williams said jokingly. “Sometimes I think I'm from Russia, too. I feel like, you know, OK, all these new ‘ovas’… I think my name should be Williamsova.”
Groth is actually Czechoslovakia born and has no relation with Russia. However, Serena has reason to be confused as currently five of the 10 highest-ranked female tennis players are Russians, with Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova being outright leader in WTA champions race.
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