Then and now: Serena Williams

It’s amazing how little has changed in 14 years.

In 2003, Serena Williams beat a succession of quality players at Melbourne Park before overcoming sister Venus in the final to win the Australian Open. And it was exactly the same scenario when she won the title in 2017.

But what’s changed – in terms of playing style, stroke production, shot selection and tactics – in the time between her first and last Australian Open triumphs?

Tennismash sat down with Nicole Pratt, a former world No.35 who faced Williams several times in the early 2000s. Now the head of professional women’s tennis in Australia, Pratt noticed several things – from Serena’s equipment, to forehand preparation, to on-court demeanour – that have evolved over the years she’s dominated the game.

We looked specifically at two Australian Open matches; her thrilling come-from-behind semifinal victory in 2003 against Kim Clijsters, and her quarterfinal win in 2017 over the similarly athletic and powerful Johanna Konta.

Racquet

One thing that immediately stands out is the racquet Serena was using in 2003 compared with this year. Back then, she was playing with an off-the-shelf Wilson racquet as well as a non-responsive synthetic string. Now? Her racquet and the strings have moved with the times.

“I was playing back then, and the racquet and strings she was using, it astounded me – I couldn’t believe it,” said Pratt, who believes Serena has taken advantage of advancements in technology since working with Patrick Mouratoglou. “It wasn’t even a professional player’s racquet – those are customised. At that stage she wasn’t playing with a customised racquet.

“It was (in later years) about harnessing the power. The racquet she was using (in 2003) was so powerful that it was almost like she was decelerating versus accelerating on the ball. With better equipment, and the right equipment, you can adjust it to what you’re looking for. And that for her was more control – but the freedom to feel like she can swing as hard as she wants.”

Forehand

Pratt notes Williams’ racquet preparation was different in 2003 compared with 2017, and that Serena now produces a forehand with more margin for error through increased spin and height over the net.

“When you look in 2003, the racquet head was a long way back behind her body. She had a larger swing,” Pratt says. “Whereas now, it’s shorter and more right-side of her body which is conducive to a more rotational swing path, so she can get a little bit more spin and shape on the ball (notable in the comparison video of Serena’s swinging forehand volleys above). When the racquet gets too far behind your back you get a more shallow swing path across your body, versus more through, and up.

“This would have evolved over time anyway because the game has gotten faster. But I feel like Patrick has had an influence there, just tidying up that side.”

Physicality

Williams’ physicality has improved in the years between the two videos, something Pratt says is tough to believe given how impressive she was in this area in 2003. These days, Serena uses her legs more, especially on the forehand side; in 2003 she was more upright when playing that shot. (You can see this above in the comparison video of Serena’s swinging forehand volleys).

“(Now she’s so) physical on the ball, she’s lower. She has an even greater athletic position on the forehand, in particular, but also on her backhand side she’s started to use her legs a lot more effectively,” Pratt says. “She’s stronger now. Her balance on the court now is better. I think over time you just become more coordinated, like the actual specific-ness of the movements required to play tennis evolve over the years based on who you’re playing and areas you need to address. And for sure her physique matured even more – she now reigns supreme in that area. Her flexibility is amazing.”

Pratt believes all of these things have contributed to improved execution in Williams’ shots.

Serve

Williams’ serve has always been a weapon but it’s the second serve that has improved over time – better placement combined with an increase in speed have made it less attackable than it was in 2003.

“There were a couple of examples that I saw in Kim’s match, where a second serve went in the middle of the box and Kim creamed it,” Pratt said. “Whereas there were a couple of second serves in the Konta match where it’s hitting the T. Or going wide, and it’s hitting the spot.

“Her execution and targeting on first and second serves – but particularly her second serve – under pressure is the best in the world. And better now than it was.”

Demeanour

Serena over the years has become more verbal on court, showing more emotion – both positive and negative. According to Pratt, this is because every match at Grand Slams has become more significant as she tries to surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 major singles titles.

“Everything means that much more and you’re seeing that emotion,” Pratt says. “It’s quite intimidating (for opponents) too. When she acknowledges something she does well, she verbalises that outwardly. And also, too, when she’s not happy, she let’s it out, and moves on. That was the thing that struck me – very different (to 2003).”