Serena Williams may have had Zen moment too early

Serena Williams has found a new sense of calm as she chases her 24th grand slam win in the Wimbledon final.

Serena Williams was ruthless in her win over Czech Barbora Strycova in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Picture: AP

On the morning of her semi-final rout of Barbora Strycova at Wimbledon, Serena Williams did herself a favour.

Throughout a storied career, history has been a burden for the American superstar, who is one title away from equalling Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles successes.

When chasing down legends, she has been stricken by nerves. Her form has faltered, her footwork has frozen. And her fearsome temper has exploded too.

It happened in pursuit of the American record of 18 majors shared by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. She stalled in sight of Steffi Graf’s Open-era tally of 22.

And having collected a 23rd grand slam at the Australian Open in 2017, motherhood and the emergence of several rivals has delayed her challenge to Court.

But according to the 37-year-old, something changed on Thursday. She found a Zen-like moment of mindfulness before whipping Strycova 6-1 6-2 in less than an hour.

“I thought about it this morning,” she said.

“I actually didn’t think about it since because it’s really not about 24 or 23 or 25. It’s really just about going out there and giving my best effort no matter what.

“No matter what I do, I will always have a great career. Like, I just kind of let it go this morning. Yeah, I feel really calm about it.

“I definitely feel like I play better when I’m calm. But it’s definitely an effort. (It’s about) not getting over-pumped, but at the same time not getting under-wound. I have to be in that right space.”

The veracity of this mental state will only become clearer when she steps on to centre court against Simona Halep, who was similarly impressive when thrashing Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3.

A terrific final beckons between a woman vying to become the greatest of all time and a rival who is a tremendous player in her own right as a former world No 1 and French Open champion.

John McEnroe is not necessarily convinced by the Williams approach, stating in commentary that the decider would be the true test of whether her calmness is entrenched.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion has reached two finals since the birth of her daughter Olympia. She found Angelique Kerber too tough a year ago and then imploded in atrocious fashion when thumped off the court by Naomi Osaka in New York.

But this is different, she insisted.

“I had to get to those finals, looking back, to even be in those two finals last year was unbelievable,” she said.

“Now I’m in a different place. Like, I just am more calm. Instead of having nothing to lose, I feel like I have things to lose, but I also have nothing to lose. It’s like I’m in the middle.

“I really want to do it. I’m in a different place because I wasn’t really playing a month ago, like, at all. So it’s all kind of coming together.

“I don’t know what brought it on. I never usually think about it. (I’m) just trying to tap into that younger Serena, trying to tap into how to win basically.”

GRAPHIC: Wimbledon women’s final

To the naked eye, her form throughout her past couple of matches has been particularly impressive.

Her movement has improved dramatically from early struggles against Guilia Gatto-Monticone and teenager Kava Juvan.

Former great Tracey Austin doubts anyone in history has had such significant fluctuations in form in the same tournament as Williams.

And she believes playing mixed doubles alongside Andy Murray has helped her, with her touch at the net particularly brilliant against Strycova in a match Austin described as a masterclass.

“I have never seen anyone in the history of the sport (play) with such tremendous fluctuation (in a tournament). No one can do it like Serena. It is really quite incredible to watch,” she said on the BBC.

“I think the mixed doubles really helped her because she really had to up the ante playing against men on the serve and on the return. I think that brought her intensity right up.”

Williams will start a dominant favourite against Halep, having won nine of their 10 outings, including a tough three-set win in the round of 16 in Melbourne in January.

Her only loss to the Romanian came in a round robin match at the WTA Championships in Singapore in 2014.

She reversed the loss in ruthless fashion in the final a couple of days later. But the American is mindful that Halep has been one of the best performed women on tour for several years.

“There’s so many impressive things about her,” she said.

“I think obviously her tenacity (is a strength). I think her ability to improve every time, just to keep improving and her ability to find power.

“(I) can’t underestimate her. She’s like a little powerhouse. Obviously … she finished the year No 1 twice in a row. I feel like she’s back. She wants to prove that she can do it again.”

Halep, who was watched by her former coach Darren Cahill, was quizzed about the record of Court that Williams is pursuing. To her, that means nothing. This moment is for herself.

“I’m desperate to win Wimbledon more than to stop her,” she said. “I will focus on myself. I’m not thinking about her record. Of course, it is huge. Her records are huge already.

“(But) it is nothing about that. It’s just a tennis match, a big challenge, a great match. So I will try just to give my best.”