The price of success for Serena Williams

Williams was an overwhelming favorite at the Australian Open, where she had won all six previous times she’d reached the final, and was trying to equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

Serena Williams’ relaxed outlook on life spilled over even in defeat on Saturday when she appeared to be nearly as happy that Angelique Kerber had won her first grand slam final as the German herself.

Kerber, who saved a match point in her first round clash with Japan’s Misaki Doi, will enter her first grand slam final with huge confidence, believing a “nothing to lose” attitude had got her this far.

Hingis, who won her third straight Grand Slam title with Sania Mirza at the Australian Open on Saturday, said flatly: “No. I’ve had this question for the previous year. I remember her serving really well and from then on out I’ve been really focused that she’s someone that I and everyone has to take so seriously”, Williams said.

After a tricky first-round encounter against Camila Giorgi, she has been progressed through the draw with a series of emphatic victories, dropping just 17 games and no sets in the next five matches.

Standing in her way of a 22nd career Grand Slam title is seventh-seeded German Angelique Kerber, who had a little more ominous start to her tournament.

“I’m not even angry because I know she was just playing too good today”.

In what was an awesome display of defensive tennis, Ketber matched Williams for power as she ran around most of the balls played to her, which forced Williams into taking extra shots that ultimately turned into errors.

Summing up her 2015 campaign during the end of season WTA Finals in Singapore, Kerber said, “I won four titles and I’m in the top 10 for the fourth time”. Not necessarily in her quality – she pushed No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in a 6-7(11), 7-6(2), 6-4 loss – but in her belief. I feel like I could have done better in NY.

Kerber has lost five of her six meetings with the American world number one, with her only win coming in Cincinnati in 2012.

“She was my idol. She still is my idol”, Kerber said in her pre-match press conference. Williams has already achieved this feat five times, the last time being at her US Open campaign in 2014.

Williams regained some composure at the start of the second set and Kerber gave her the encouragement she needed, as two double faults gifted the American a break and 3-1 advantage.

Her final match before the final was against world number four Agnieszka Radwanska.

“I played an unbelievable first two sets”, Djokovic said.

Williams, 34, has a 5-1 win record against Kerber and vastly more big match experience, but she is not underestimating the threat she faces.

Her semifinal showdown was against first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Johanna Konta. Kerber is eager to try to match Serena Williams’ aggression when the pair meet in what will be Kerber’s maiden grand slam decider. “I think he’s a pretty fantastic player, footballer”.

“I think I show everybody that I deserve it, that’s a good thing”, she said.

“I was extra busy on my new collection that I’m starting”, said Williams, sometimes a fashion designer who is wearing one of own designs – a neon-yellow crop-top with pleated skirt – on the court in Melbourne.