London – After wrapping up a fifth Wimbledon singles title and adding a third doubles grass-court trophy alongside big sister Venus, Serena Williams will be going nonstop, with her next event starting at mid-week in California as she returns to the WTA.
Williams takes the top seeding at Stanford near San Francisco as she plays for a week on hardcourt returning to London late in the month for the Olympic tournament on the All England club lawns.
Thanks to her one-two title punch, the 30-year-old won nearly $2 million in prize money for her fortnight's work on the grass.
But the lure of an Olympic medal is the goal shining the most brightly now that her run in London has come to a successful end.
“I haven't even thought about that yet,” Williams said of the Games. “I was just trying to get through Wimbledon. It would be awesome (to win a medal). For me a gold medal's a gold medal. I've got one, so I'm really happy with it. I've got two actually.”
Williams won women's singles gold at Sydney in 2000 and took the doubles honours at Beijing four years ago.
While her mind is now focused ahead, Williams cannot help but look back with pride at her fortnight on grass. She now owns 14 Grand Slam singles titles, the same career total as one of her tennis idols, Pete Sampras.
“I really loved Pete when I was younger, I named my dog after him so obviously I'm a little bit obsessed. I didn't realise we had the same stats.
“But clearly my career is not over, so I definitely want to do a few more.”
Williams credited her huge serve – she set an ace record – with helping her to this summer's round of Wimbledon victories.
“It really helped me throughout this tournament. I can't describe why it was so good or how it was so good. Like I said, it's not like I practise it that much.
“I just had the rhythm, I kind of felt it.”
Williams said the trait runs in the family. “We both have great serves on grass. We're both moving really fast.
“I don't love grass, to be honest, but I always say that every year. I'm not the biggest grass court fan because I always get bad bounces and I'm always complaining, and I hate it when I get a bad bounce.
“But for whatever reason I do really well here, so I don't know.” – Sapa-dpa