Serena: “either I win, or I don’t play”

Margaret Court is in Serena Williams’s sights as the American superstar targets a comeback following the birth of her first child.

Williams, just a few weeks out from her due date, is targeting the Australian Open – where she would be the defending champion – as the proposed site of her comeback.

That would be barely four months after having her child, but with Williams still training in the hopes of remaining physically and technically sharp, it could be an achievable goal.

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The lure of Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slam singles titles is a driving force behind Williams’s desire to return to the game at age 36.

“It’s hard to figure out what the end of your tennis career should look like,” she told Vogue.

“I used to think I’d want to retire when I have kids, but no. I’m definitely coming back. Walking out there and hearing the crowd, it may seem like nothing. But there’s no better feeling in the world.

“Obviously, if I have a chance to go out there and catch up with Margaret, I am not going to pass that up. If anything, this pregnancy has given me a new power.”

Just a few days after announcing I was pregnant, we did this shoot for the @voguemagazine iconic September issue. I was so energetic that day but then I remember being totally exhausted and needed to take a break for an hour. I was still trying to understand this whole pregnancy process. Nowadays I have no ankles or toes and my fingers resemble sausages but it’s moments like this that are captured by @mariotestino that makes everything worthwhile. Dress by my love @donatella_versace

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Aug 16, 2017 at 6:07am PDT

The former world No.1 and 23-time major champion did, however, issue a caveat.

“It’s the most outrageous plan. I just want to put that out there. That’s, like, three months after I give birth. I’m not walking anything back, but I’m just saying it’s pretty intense,” she explained.

“In this game you can go dark fast. If I lose, and I lose again, it’s like, she’s done. Especially since I’m not 20 years old.

“I’ll tell you this much: I won’t win less. Either I win, or I don’t play.”