COVID-19 Lockdown Could Be A Blessing In Disguise For Serena Williams, Claims Former World No. 1

Former World No. 1 Chris Evert has suggested that Serena Williams can use the lockdown to her advantage and finally win the 24th Grand Slam.

Williams, who is just one Grand Slam win away from equaling Margaret Court’s world record of most major titles, has lost four consecutive finals since her return to tennis after giving birth.

In a recent interview, American tennis great Evert said the coronavirus lockdown can help Williams change her mindset.

“Maybe she will be calmer out there. I think she will have a fresh perspective and approach,” Evert told BBC Sport’s "Two's Wimbledon: The Best of the Championships".

When Wimbledon got scrapped for the year, many opined that 38-year-old Williams has been snatched off the final opportunity of winning the much-awaited Grand Slam citing her game is suited best for grass. However, 18-time Grand Slam winner Evert has said there is another way of looking at it.

“She [Williams] looks really fit and in great shape and she seems to be really eager to get back. So that's the danger zone for a lot of the other players because if anyone can get through these difficult times and these challenges it's Serena Williams, with what she's had to go through in her life. This will be like a piece of cake for her, so watch out for her,” added Evert in the same interview.

Williams, who is currently staying in Florida, has announced that she will participate in the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the calendar year that she last won in 2014. Overall, she has clinched six US Open singles trophies.

This year’s US Open has been scheduled to take place behind closed doors, starting from Aug. 31. With Wimbledon canceled and French Open postponed for later in the year, US Open will be the second Grand Slam of this year.

Although the likes of Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep have raised concerns considering the U.S. is the worst-affected country in the world, the organizers have decided to go ahead with the New York Grand Slam. The defending champions in the singles events are Nadal and Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, who had won the tournament by defeating home favorite Williams in the final.