Former Argentine tennis player Paola Suarez has accused Serena Williams of faking an injury, during one of their encounters back in 2000. The duo clashed in the second round in Amelia Island, where Paola Suarez went through to the next round, after the American’s retirement.
However, as the score-line suggests, Paola Suarez was not too far away from an outright victory. She was leading 5 games to two in the final set before Serena Williams decided to end her match owing to injury. This could have been the biggest victory for the Argentine, who was ranked in the mid-60s at that point in time.
Paola Suarez was a prominent name on the Doubles tour back in the 90s and 2000s. She retired from the sport in 2014, as she competed on the tour for almost two decades. Although she did manage to beat Serena Williams during their clash at Amelia Islands in 2000, she was left with a bittersweet taste.
Paola Suarez reveals she was left with a ‘bittersweet taste’ after Serena Williams’ retirement
Serena Williams had just risen to prominence back in 2000, as she claimed the US Open title in 1999. From there on, the American went on to dominate the tour, as she ended her career with 23 Grand Slam Singles titles.
Speaking about their clash in 2000, Paola Suarez reveals that she was unhappy with Serena Williams’ approach. “Yeah. I would have liked that match more if she hadn’t retired, because everything was on track and it left me with a bittersweet taste. They had a bit of that concept of not wanting to lose on the field and retire due to an injury,” said Suarez.
It took three more years for Serena Williams to claim her second Grand Slam title, as she won three Major titles in 2002. The American retired from the sport last year at the US Open, as she drew curtains on an illustrious career. She retired with 39 Grand Slam titles to her name, which includes 14 in Women’s Doubles and 2 in Mixed Doubles. Without a doubt, Serena Williams could be termed one of the greatest tennis players of our generation.
In case you missed it :
ncG1vNJzZmiemafAtb%2FPqKmtsl6YvK57056lp6GjYrumw9Jmqp6qlaOubsPIpaOimZ2oeqKvwq6qnpxdpLNussCkoKefXZa7brXNo6yrsV2pvG6%2FwK%2BcZp6RmLJustGopGaZXZiys8DAoqVmnJWbsqLAjJqjpZ2XmsBuss6rpJ6qXay8s7jDZqWoZWFivaK7y5pkrK2Rp7K7ew%3D%3D