[laj]

Serena Williams’s greatest rivalry in tennis career is not a rivalry between herself and another player, but rather the rivalry between herself and the scourge of injury setbacks she experienced throughout her career. The most defeats Serena has in her career from any individual player are the 10 losses she experienced at the hands of her sister Venus in their 13 – 10 head to head record. The next most losses she experienced are the 6 and 7 by Hingis and Henin & Capriati each, respectively. But, even those losses are less than the 16 losses in the form of retirement and walk-over due to injury problems. Here is Serena Career Injury Report, that which speaks more to her enormous talent (being TMTFTPE) and how even remarkable that she is able to emerge as the GOAT of her generation, if not the GOAT of all time, in spite of the effects of her career greatest rivalry.

1998- Wimbledon [Injury retired match vs. Virgina Rauno Pascual, right knee tendonitis].

1999 -withdrew from Wimbledon w/flu and from Tour Championships w/back injury. [German Open 3-6 2-3 ret vs. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (ESP) knee injury].

2000- Montréal (ret. vs. Hingis w/left foot injury). Amelia Island (ret. vs. Suárez in 2r w/left knee injury); withdrew from European clay season w/knee injury (from Amelia Island) and from Tour Championships w/left foot injury.

2002- Reaching SF at Sydney (ret. vs. Shaughnessy w/right ankle injury then withdrew from Australian Open).

2003 - Underwent left knee surgery on August 1 to repair a partial tear, withdrawing from all events after Wimbledon (incl. US Open, Tour Championships).

*[Had professional Psychological attention to deal with the 2003 murder of her oldest sister, finally came to terms with that tragedy by the time to the 2007 Australian Open, at which time she dedicated her win then to her late sister in her winners speech].

2004 - Returned to Tour after eight-month lay-off due to knee rehabilitation and had fourth straight Top 10 finish. San Diego (withdrew w/left knee inflammation). Charleston (withdrew prior to 3r w/left knee inflammation). Withdrew from Australian Open w/left knee rehabilitation.

2005 - After impressive run to sixth Grand Slam singles title, injury-plagued season resulted in first non-Top 10 finish since 1998. Paris [Indoors] (withdrew before QF w/GI illness), Dubai (ret. in SF vs. Jankovic w/right shoulder strain). Amelia Island (ret. in QF vs. Farina Elia w/left ankle sprain). Toronto (withdrew before 3r w/left knee pain). Withdrew from Roland Garros w/left ankle injury; did not qualify for Tour Championships for first time since 1998.

2006 - Nearly finished outside Top 100 for first time after injury-plagued season; fell 3r at Australian Open (l. to Hantuchova) then withdrew from all events until summer w/left knee injury (incl. Roland Garros, Wimbledon); on April 10, ranked outside Top 100 for first time since November 16, 1997; on July 10, fell to No.140 (down from No.11 at start of 2006); ended six-month layoff with three summer events, reaching SF at Cincinnati (l. to Zvonareva), SF at Los Angeles (l. to Jankovic; returned to Top 100 afterwards, having spent 18 weeks outside) and 4r at US Open (as WC, l. to No.1 Mauresmo in 3s); played only four events all year, lowest in Top 100 (next-lowest was V.Williams with six).

2007 - Charleston (ret. 2r w/right groin strain), Zürich (ret. 1r w/right adductor strain) and Tour Championships (ret. in first RR match w/left knee injury then withdrew from tournament). Missed all pre-US Open summer hardcourt events w/left thumb sprain (suffered at Wimbledon).

2008 - Rome (withdrew prior to match vs. Cornet w/back injury). Tour Championships (went 1-1 in RR stage then withdrew from event w/abdominal injury). Withdrew from Paris [Indoors], Antwerp and Dubai w/recovery from gum surgery, Los Angeles w/left knee injury and Moscow w/left ankle injury.

2009 - Paris [Indoors] (as top seed, withdrew prior to match vs. No.3 seed Dementieva w/right knee injury). Madrid (as No.2 seed, ret. vs. Schiavone w/right knee injury in 1r). Withdrew from Charleston w/left leg injury, and from Tokyo w/left knee and toe injury.

2010- Missed three months early in season w/left knee injury (withdrawing from Paris [Indoors], Dubai, Miami, Marbella and Charleston) and all post-Wimbledon events w/right foot injury (withdrawing from Istanbul, Cincinnati, Montréal, US Open, Tokyo, Beijing, Linz and WTA Championships).

2011 - Sensational summer results after year-long injury and illness lay-off (finishing No.12); missed first half of year w/right foot injury and PE (withdrew from Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros) but returned in June, going 4-2 during grass court season (reaching 2r at Eastbourne and 4r at Wimbledon) then compiling 18-1 record during summer hardcourt season, winning 38th and 39th WTA titles at Stanford (d. Bartoli in final) and Toronto (d. Stosur in final), reaching 2r at Cincinnati (withdrew prior to match vs. Stosur w/right toe injury aggravation) then reaching 17th Grand Slam final at US Open (l. to Stosur; now 13-4 in Grand Slam finals); withdrew from Tokyo and Beijing w/medical reasons.

Source: http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/player/serena-williams_2257889_9044

Wherefore, it is in spite of the ugly bruise that the specter injuries have put on her tennis career over the years that Serena Williams today remains the most successful player of her generation; and it is her amazing and remarkable ability to stop and go with an ongoing tennis career while maintaining top ranked status and Big tournaments success that also goes into the consideration of Serena Williams as perhaps the greatest of all time.

 

[RVD]

The true come-back player of her generation.
And nicely stated.

*SUBSCRIBES* to thread.

 

[MM_1257]

Finally one amazing thread in TF! Thanks!

 

[mykarma]

Serena Williams’s greatest rivalry in tennis career is not a rivalry between herself and another player, but rather the rivalry between herself and the scourge of injury setbacks she experienced throughout her career. The most defeats Serena has in her career from any individual player are the 10 losses she experienced at the hands of her sister Venus in their 13 – 10 head to head record. The next most losses she experienced are the 6 and 7 by Hingis and Henin & Capriati each, respectively. But, even those losses are less than the 16 losses in the form of retirement and walk-over due to injury problems. Here is Serena Career Injury Report, that which speaks more to her enormous talent (being TMTFTPE) and how even remarkable that she is able to emerge as the GOAT of her generation, if not the GOAT of all time, in spite of the effects of her career greatest rivalry.

1998- Wimbledon [Injury retired match vs. Virgina Rauno Pascual, right knee tendonitis].

1999 -withdrew from Wimbledon w/flu and from Tour Championships w/back injury. [German Open 3-6 2-3 ret vs. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (ESP) knee injury].

2000- Montréal (ret. vs. Hingis w/left foot injury). Amelia Island (ret. vs. Suárez in 2r w/left knee injury); withdrew from European clay season w/knee injury (from Amelia Island) and from Tour Championships w/left foot injury.

2002- Reaching SF at Sydney (ret. vs. Shaughnessy w/right ankle injury then withdrew from Australian Open).

2003 - Underwent left knee surgery on August 1 to repair a partial tear, withdrawing from all events after Wimbledon (incl. US Open, Tour Championships).

*[Had professional Psychological attention to deal with the 2003 murder of her oldest sister, finally came to terms with that tragedy by the time to the 2007 Australian Open, at which time she dedicated her win then to her late sister in her winners speech].

2004 - Returned to Tour after eight-month lay-off due to knee rehabilitation and had fourth straight Top 10 finish. San Diego (withdrew w/left knee inflammation). Charleston (withdrew prior to 3r w/left knee inflammation). Withdrew from Australian Open w/left knee rehabilitation.

2005 - After impressive run to sixth Grand Slam singles title, injury-plagued season resulted in first non-Top 10 finish since 1998. Paris [Indoors] (withdrew before QF w/GI illness), Dubai (ret. in SF vs. Jankovic w/right shoulder strain). Amelia Island (ret. in QF vs. Farina Elia w/left ankle sprain). Toronto (withdrew before 3r w/left knee pain). Withdrew from Roland Garros w/left ankle injury; did not qualify for Tour Championships for first time since 1998.

2006 - Nearly finished outside Top 100 for first time after injury-plagued season; fell 3r at Australian Open (l. to Hantuchova) then withdrew from all events until summer w/left knee injury (incl. Roland Garros, Wimbledon); on April 10, ranked outside Top 100 for first time since November 16, 1997; on July 10, fell to No.140 (down from No.11 at start of 2006); ended six-month layoff with three summer events, reaching SF at Cincinnati (l. to Zvonareva), SF at Los Angeles (l. to Jankovic; returned to Top 100 afterwards, having spent 18 weeks outside) and 4r at US Open (as WC, l. to No.1 Mauresmo in 3s); played only four events all year, lowest in Top 100 (next-lowest was V.Williams with six).

2007 - Charleston (ret. 2r w/right groin strain), Zürich (ret. 1r w/right adductor strain) and Tour Championships (ret. in first RR match w/left knee injury then withdrew from tournament). Missed all pre-US Open summer hardcourt events w/left thumb sprain (suffered at Wimbledon).
2008 - Rome (withdrew prior to match vs. Cornet w/back injury). Tour Championships (went 1-1 in RR stage then withdrew from event w/abdominal injury). Withdrew from Paris [Indoors], Antwerp and Dubai w/recovery from gum surgery, Los Angeles w/left knee injury and Moscow w/left ankle injury.

2009 - Paris [Indoors] (as top seed, withdrew prior to match vs. No.3 seed Dementieva w/right knee injury). Madrid (as No.2 seed, ret. vs. Schiavone w/right knee injury in 1r). Withdrew from Charleston w/left leg injury, and from Tokyo w/left knee and toe injury.

2010- Missed three months early in season w/left knee injury (withdrawing from Paris [Indoors], Dubai, Miami, Marbella and Charleston) and all post-Wimbledon events w/right foot injury (withdrawing from Istanbul, Cincinnati, Montréal, US Open, Tokyo, Beijing, Linz and WTA Championships).

2011 - Sensational summer results after year-long injury and illness lay-off (finishing No.12); missed first half of year w/right foot injury and PE (withdrew from Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros) but returned in June, going 4-2 during grass court season (reaching 2r at Eastbourne and 4r at Wimbledon) then compiling 18-1 record during summer hardcourt season, winning 38th and 39th WTA titles at Stanford (d. Bartoli in final) and Toronto (d. Stosur in final), reaching 2r at Cincinnati (withdrew prior to match vs. Stosur w/right toe injury aggravation) then reaching 17th Grand Slam final at US Open (l. to Stosur; now 13-4 in Grand Slam finals); withdrew from Tokyo and Beijing w/medical reasons.

Source: http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/player/serena-williams_2257889_9044

Wherefore, it is in spite of the ugly bruise that the specter injuries have put on her tennis career over the years that Serena Williams today remains the most successful player of her generation; and it is her amazing and remarkable ability to stop and go with an ongoing tennis career while maintaining top ranked status and Big tournaments success that also goes into the consideration of Serena Williams as perhaps the greatest of all time.

Dag. 2001 was the only year she didn't have an injury. She's an amazing woman.

 

[laj]

Dag. 2001 was the only year she didn't have an injury. She's an amazing woman.

She is!

And, this career injury report also serve as indication that the general notion that Serena’s game peaked in 2002-2003 and now again in 2012 may not necessarily be a matter of being peaked, but rather of the state of health, fitness, conditioning, and state of mind (mindset).

 

[spartanfan]

I'm just thankful that she is still around to put all the haters down.

 

[RVD]

She is!

And, this career injury report also serve as indication that the general notion that Serena’s game peaked in 2002-2003 and now again in 2012 may not necessarily be a matter of being peaked, but rather of the state of health, fitness, conditioning, and state of mind (mindset).

Every piece of data you posted speaks to Serena's commitment to tennis, at a time when both she and Venus were being unfairly criticized.

Serena's injuries were typically relegated to a minor footnote during pre-game commentaries.
Whereas other players received empathy and sympathy from the general public whenever they returned.

It was obvious that the media and many in the general tennis population preferred that she remained unable to play. The vitriol directed at her was surreal at times.

I recall the many times, after returning from injury, Serena was insulted & criticized about her weight & desire as well.

As a perfect example, at the 2007 Australian Open, she was called fat, slow, a dinosaur, and not in condition (actually far worse was said, but we'll forgo the disgusting derogatories).
Yet she defeated Sharapova 6-1, 6-2.
So many called the win a fluke, but Serena fans and supporters knew better.
She returned from a lengthy injury plagued time off, HUNGRY! (something she receives very little credit for).

Her supporters knew that she was working on her conditioning and that she was a fighter who would return as the main contender someday.

Serena is just not your typical WTA player.
And she's proven that time and time again over her entire career.
The most recent being this tennis season.

I feel honored and blessed that she is playing in this era/generation.
At a time when I can track her historical run towards history.

Thank you again for this great thread laj.

 

[Ntosake]

Don't know how I missed this, but another excellent thread. Thanks laj!

 

[DOUBLEFIST]

No wonder she's so damn mentally tough. ...She's had to be to keep pulling herself up from those setbacks.

It's kinda strange. As a ardent fan, you're aware of most - if not all - of those injuries, but to see them all listed in front of you... Phew!

 

[RVD]

2005 - After impressive run to sixth Grand Slam singles title, injury-plagued season resulted in first non-Top 10 finish since 1998. Paris [Indoors] (withdrew before QF w/GI illness), Dubai (ret. in SF vs. Jankovic w/right shoulder strain). Amelia Island (ret. in QF vs. Farina Elia w/left ankle sprain). Toronto (withdrew before 3r w/left knee pain). Withdrew from Roland Garros w/left ankle injury; did not qualify for Tour Championships for first time since 1998.

An additional piece of info:
Back problems...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/jan/30/tennis.australianopen2005

 

[JCTennisFan]

If anything she has avoided career ending injuries, in my opinion.

With that said has she had alot of injuries? Sure she has but so have many other top players.

Graf had them, Capriati, Henin, Hingis, Davenport, Sharapova, Venus, Clijsters, I could go on.

And in the case of Capriati and Henin it ended their careers outright. Graf probably did not win as many slams as she could of and Kim certaintly didnt due to injury.

So while Serena has incurred alot of injuries over her career, in the grand scheme of things they really did not affect the quality of her game's potential.

Sharapova has a serve which will never be the same again, Capriati was forced into retirement because she couldn't serve anymore, Kimmie's movement has been affected, Henin messed her elbow up (thats a huge issue with a one-handed BH) and also burnt herself out, Venus had to change her BH (arguable her best weapon) after an injury, etc.

Is Serena a strong person for fighting through her problems and managing to get back on top? Absolutely. But to act as though she had a career similar to Seles, for instance, is just stretching things too far.

 

[RVD]

If anything she has avoided career ending injuries, in my opinion.

With that said has she had alot of injuries? Sure she has but so have many other top players.

Graf had them, Capriati, Henin, Hingis, Davenport, Sharapova, Venus, Clijsters, I could go on.

And in the case of Capriati and Henin it ended their careers outright. Graf probably did not win as many slams as she could of and Kim certaintly didnt due to injury.

So while Serena has incurred alot of injuries over her career, in the grand scheme of things they really did not affect the quality of her game's potential.

Sharapova has a serve which will never be the same again, Capriati was forced into retirement because she couldn't serve anymore, Kimmie's movement has been affected, Henin messed her elbow up and also burnt herself out, Venus had to change her BH (arguable her best weapon) after an injury, etc.

Is Serena a strong person for fighting through her problems and managing to get back on top? Absolutely. But to act as though she had a career similar to Seles, for instance, is just stretching things too far.

I have to very respectfully disagree my friend.
Firstly, I could not locate where laj compared Serena's injuries to Monica's. So maybe you were using here for comparison's sake. But how long did Seles continue to compete at a high level after returning? And I'm not diminishing Monica's records or achievements at all. She was who first introduced me to WTA tennis. The girl was a Queen to me for a long time.

Also, didn't Serena recently escape death (several blood clots and grapefruit sized embolism), after undergoing two foot surgeries in a roll?

That's some intense stuff right there.

 

[JCTennisFan]

I have to very respectfully disagree my friend.
Firstly, I could not locate where laj compared Serena's injuries to Monica's. So maybe you were using here for comparison's sake. But how long did Seles continue to compete at a high level after returning? And I'm not diminishing Monica's records or achievements at all. She was who first introduced me to WTA tennis. The girl was a Queen to me for a long time.

Also, didn't Serena recently escape death (several blood clots and grapefruit sized embolism), after undergoing two foot surgeries in a roll?

That's some intense stuff right there.

No doubt, and I totally agree about Serena pushing through some tough things. But the foot surgeries thankfully did not affect her movement all that much. Sure she has slowed down somewhat but I honestly would attribute that more to age than anything.

Trust me Im not saying that she did not go through some tough shit during her career, but so did Davenport, Pierce, Kim, Capriati, Graf, Seles, Venus, Hingis, Henin, Sharapova, etc.

 

[laj]

Every piece of data you posted speaks to Serena's commitment to tennis, at a time when both she and Venus were being unfairly criticized.

Serena's injuries were typically relegated to a minor footnote during pre-game commentaries.
Whereas other players received empathy and sympathy from the general public whenever they returned.

It was obvious that the media and many in the general tennis population preferred that she remained unable to play. The vitriol directed at her was surreal at times.

I recall the many times, after returning from injury, Serena was insulted & criticized about her weight & desire as well.

As a perfect example, at the 2007 Australian Open, she was called fat, slow, a dinosaur, and not in condition (actually far worse was said, but we'll forgo the disgusting derogatories).
Yet she defeated Sharapova 6-1, 6-2.
So many called the win a fluke, but Serena fans and supporters knew better.
She returned from a lengthy injury plagued time off, HUNGRY! (something she receives very little credit for).

Her supporters knew that she was working on her conditioning and that she was a fighter who would return as the main contender someday.

Serena is just not your typical WTA player.
And she's proven that time and time again over her entire career.
The most recent being this tennis season.

I feel honored and blessed that she is playing in this era/generation.
At a time when I can track her historical run towards history.

Thank you again for this great thread laj.

It is my utmost pleasure to do this RVD. I am herewith laying the foundation to a more profound pronouncement subsequently.

 

[RVD]

No doubt, and I totally agree about Serena pushing through some tough things. But the foot surgeries thankfully did not affect her movement all that much. Sure she has slowed down somewhat but I honestly would attribute that more to age than anything.

Trust me Im not saying that she did not go through some tough shit during her career, but so did Davenport, Pierce, Kim, Capriati, Graf, Seles, Venus, Hingis, Henin, Sharapova, etc.

I think the foot & knee injuries and surgeries did affect her for several years, though.
Do you recall back when Serena had her first knee surgery circa 2003 (9 years ago)?
When she returned, she was significantly slower and commentators would frequently mention how she was 'a step slower'.
By then, she was only about, what, 21 or 22 years old?
And the surgery was during her domination period.
I sometime wonder how long Serena could have dominated, if not for the knee surgery.

...Much like our lady Seles (stabbing).

But we agree are in full agreement that all serious players will incur injuries (sometimes several) throughout there career.
However, the distinction that defines greatness vs the common WTA player is what they do in order to recover and return to that former greatness, or their best competitive condition.

I could be mistaken, and I hope that laj will correct me if I'm wrong, but the fact that Serena is now 30 (closer to 31 actually), and has sustained significant "type" of injuries (some typically career-ending)...(with a near death experience tossed in)...is what makes her current success all the more inspiring.

It would be interesting if favs of other WTA players would post their injury stat sheets.
Not necessarily to compare against Serena's, but just as a frame of reference.

 

[RVD]

It is my utmost pleasure to do this RVD. I am herewith laying the foundation to a more profound pronouncement subsequently.

:lol: :lol:
Well said. :yeah::yeah:

I personally believe that this additional form of data is significant in that we now have a catalog and timeline on Serena's injuries from which to reference.
Some sports mag should take note and create a running list for the fans, because such information could go a long why in explaining a player's current and past form.

By the way, I have to say this...

There were many years were Serena's injuries were down-played by the general tennis community.
I won't venture to guess why, but now that the truth & confirmation of past injuries are known, it will go a long way in squashing past and even current myths about Serena's commitment to tennis.

 

[laj]

:lol: :lol:
Well said. :yeah::yeah:

I personally believe that this additional form of data is significant in that we know have a catalog and timeline on Serena's injuries from which to reference.
Some sports mag should take note and create a running list for the fans, because such information could go a long why in explaining a player's current and past form.

By the way, I have to say this...

There were many years were Serena's injuries were down-played by the general tennis community.
I won't venture to guess why, but now that the truth & confirmation of past injuries are known, it will go a long way in squashing past and even current myths about Serena's commitment to tennis.

Agreed!
Thanks!