On the Line (32 page)

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MATCH BOOK ENTRY

W
hen we were little, Daddy got us in the good habit of writing down our thoughts, our hopes, our plans. Every week, he’d find
some special time with each of us, and he’d gently remind us to set down on paper what we wanted to accomplish in the days
ahead.

“Meek,” he’d say, when it was my turn. “Have you written down your goals today?”

We didn’t have to write about tennis. We could write about school, or Kingdom Hall, or dance class, or some problem we’d heard
on the news. It was wide open. All we had to do was think of something and then write about it. When my older sisters drifted
away from the game, Daddy kept after them to continue setting down their goals, because he thought it was a useful enterprise.
And it surely was, though it sometimes felt like a never-ending homework assignment. It still feels that way sometimes, but
I keep at it. Anyway, I try. I’ve kept a journal, in fits and starts, for as long as I can remember. There’s room in there
for match analysis and insights, along with personal goals and reflections. Whatever pops into my head at the time, and makes
its way onto the page. The same rules applied to Daddy’s marching orders when I was a kid: think of something and then write
about it.

Over the years, I’ve been back and forth between thinking of this keeping a journal as a burden and an opportunity, but even
when I approached it like a chore I recognized the value in the exercise. Writing can be an extremely effective tool for harnessing
your energies and keeping your focus, and eventually I didn’t need Daddy’s gentle reminders. It got to where I started reaching
for the pen and paper on my own, because I found that it helped me to organize my thoughts and keep my objectives in mind.
It helped me to focus. Plus, there’s great power in introspection, don’t you think? And what better way to turn your thoughts
inward and force yourself to reflect on your day, your goals, and your blessings than to stare at a blank page and reach for
some way to fill it?

Since I’ve been on the tour, I’ve almost always had a journal going of one kind or another. Those match books I’ve been pulling
from, between chapters? That’s just one outlet, one kind of writing. I also keep a more straightforward journal. I’m a little
all over the place in my approach, but I’m happy just to make the approach. That’s the key. If I don’t step up to it, it doesn’t
happen. Sometimes, I don’t write for weeks and weeks, and other times I might make several entries in a single day. Sometimes,
my entries read more like e-mails or texts, because that’s how I’ve been conditioned by the technology. (Or because I can
only find time to write when I’m on my laptop, or fumbling with my cell phone while I’m waiting out a long match in the players’
locker room.)

Usually, when things are going well on the court, I’m keeping a faithful chronicle. I don’t know if that means the writing
helps my tennis, or if it’s the other way around, but setting down my thoughts allows me to decompress after a difficult match,
and to wrap my head around what comes next, so I keep at it. Also, no two tournaments unfold along the same lines, so it’s
a useful thing to have all these journals piling up for my review. They’re road maps I can file away for later, if I ever
want to know how I got from there to here.

I thought it might be useful to share one of these journals here, because people seem to want to know what it’s like to be
in the middle of a Grand Slam tournament, playing for the title and the top spot in the rankings. That’s how things laid out
for me during my 2008 U.S. Open championship run, as you’ll see…

Thursday, August 21, 2008

OMG. My back is killing me. I’m too cheap for my own good. It was going to cost me $2,158 to fly first from LAX to NYC, so
I decided to ride coach. After all, it’s a red-eye!!! I’ll get an exit row and sit by a window. I’ll be fine, right?
No!!!
Turns out our seats did not recline. And they were pitched at a really uncomfortable angle. The entire flight, it’s like
I was bending forward to tie my shoes!!! Now my back is killing me. Ugggghhhh!!! The dogs were stretched out on the floor
the whole time, and I kept thinking, Oh, how I envy their spot.

Just arrived at hotel. Hoping to get in a good practice this afternoon, work out that stiffness. Then, off to a Nike event.
They’re opening a store downtown, and I need to make an appearance. I also need a nap, so I’ll sign off for now…

MORE LATER…

Nike event went well. Saw Spike Lee. He’s so cool. Would love to work with him. He keeps telling me to see Susan Babson, an
acting coach in LA. It’s hard, because I barely have time to practice, but as God is my witness, I am going to see Susan.
Whatever it takes to do something I’ve always dreamed of doing.

Back to Nike, it went awesomely awesome. Went and did my thing after hair and make-up (always a drag). Roger Federer was there.
He’s so cool!!! (I say that a lot, don’t I?) OK, so today at practice I hit on the Louis Armstrong Stadium court. I had the
worst session. I can’t seem to keep a ball in play. My forehand is so off!!! I don’t know what to do. My dad was there with
me and that was good. He is a great help, but I’m
soooo
off. And my back is
still
killing me!!! I’m not moving well. Think I strained my groin. Went and had it taped. Hope it feels better tomorrow. After
I hit, went to the gym and worked out for a while. Want to be sure my knee will be OK, too. All these moving parts…

God, help me and bless me. Please please please… Today’s practice has me worried. Didn’t get much of a nap, so maybe that
explains it. I really want to do well here, but there’s no way if I practice like I did today. Daddy says I’m trying too hard.
That’s often true. I over-try, because I’m a perfectionist.… I’m also nervous about the draw. Don’t want to be on Venus’s
side. She’s playing so well!!! It’s not that I don’t want her to do well. I do! But if we’re on opposite sides I can root
for her longer. Like at Wimbledon. Only this time
I
get to win.

I’m falling asleep as I write this, so I’ll sign off… Good night, God. TTYT.

XXX, S

Friday, August 22, 2008

It’s 5:00 a.m. Up early for a CBS “Morning Show” appearance with V. Hair and make-up on their way up to start on me. Call
time is 6:30 a.m. Who makes this schedule? Don’t they realize I need my beauty rest?

MORE LATER…

Back again. So tired when I logged that last entry. Can you believe it, up at 5:00, going into a tournament? Not complaining,
though. Some people get up that early every day. Me, I’ve got it good, smashing tennis balls everywhere.

Speaking of smashing balls, today I did better. More consistent. More power. Forehand seems back. But back is killing me!!!
OMG, that flight. Aggghhh! Starting to worry. Two hours of treatment after practice. Hoping it helps…

Player party tonight. Yes, another event. LOL! The bigger the tournament, the bigger the events. It’s the U.S. Open, baby!
The biggest!!! More events coming tomorrow, which is shaping up to be a killer day. Not looking forward to it. It’s the wear
and tear, so close to the tournament, the not sitting still.

Draw came out… I have to play Venus in the QUARTERS!!! If we make it that far. (No room for doubt, Serena… OF COURSE we’ll
make it that far!) Can you believe??? I’m so bummed, it ruined my day. Wow. Why can’t I play someone else? Even the Semis
would be better than the Quarters!!! Dang Dang Dang!

XXX, S

Saturday, August 23, 2008

The week before the Open is so busy. Today was one of those wall-to-wall days. Super-long. Super-crazy. Still kinda down about
the draw…:(

Check this out: up early for an Oreo press conference, before practice. OMG, I love Oreos. Just signed this deal with Venus
and the Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, and this was the kick-off. Really love the concept: the Williams sisters versus
the Manning brothers in an Oreo-eating contest. It’s
uber
-cool. The Oreo people are so happy with it. Great to do an event like this with V. Plus, all the Oreos u can eat!!! Yay!!!

Another crummy practice. Went straight from Oreo event, which might explain it. I’ve just been soooo busy!!! Not the best
strategy. Plus, body still not right. Forehand still not right. My timing is off!!! Got to fix it, Serena. Clock is ticking.

Set it up so practice ran right into Arthur Ashe Kids Day at Flushing Meadows. Do it all in one trip. There’s a concert and
exhibition matches on the main court. Tons of kids come out. I have a ball, seeing them have such a good time. Saw Roger Federer
again. LOL. We keep bumping into each other. Good to be out on the main court in front of a crowd again, even if it is a bunch
of screaming teeny-bopper kids.

Hit the gym again for a couple hours, then raced back to hotel to get ready for Wilson launch party. Like I said, a super-long
day. Wouldn’t be so bad if the ride from the hotel to the tennis center wasn’t an hour long. Can you believe that? One hour,
each way? That kills a lot of time. There are nice-enough hotels nearby, near LaGuardia Airport, but I need to be in Manhattan.
Nothing against Queens, but midtown Manhattan has got it
going on
!!!

Tonight I had to go to this Wilson party. They like it when they have some of their players come out. It turned out to be
lots of fun. Sometimes these events can drag, but this one was cool. I saw Roger again. He’s the greatest, the nicest guy.
So funny!!! We’re running in the same circles. And running is the right word. Sun-up to sun-down, I’m running. Around and
around. But I can’t complain. It’s life. Anyway, it’s
my
life. I feel so blessed to be able to play and do this. Tomorrow I really want to have a good practice. That’s the focus.
Tournament starts on Monday, so this is it for all the hype and hoopla. After tonight, it’s just tennis, tennis, tennis. My
focus notes:

• Stay Positive

• Believe you can do anything, even when down

• Focus on every point

• You are the best, Serena

Believe it. Act it. Become it.

XXX, S

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Finally, an easy day. Almost got away from me, though. The CEO of the WTA asked if we could make an appearance at some dinner.
(Me and V.) Wish I could, but I can’t. Plus, it’s a late ask. Need to remember why I’m here. If I plan on winning, I need
to lock down. NOW!!! Tournament starts tomorrow, so the plan is to practice for a couple hours, then rest. I’ll get treatment
in my room. My back, my knee. Whatever ails and aches. Then I’ll lay down… Finally, I need this. Still pissed about the draw…
Quarterfinals? What a joke!

MORE LATER…

I never look at the draw other than to see where Venus is playing. After that, I don’t want to know. I prefer to wait until
the day of my first match to find out, but my hitting partner, Sasha, spilled the beans. He told me I’d drawn Kateryna Bondarenko.
A talented young Ukrainian, ranked 46th. I’ve never played her, so we have no history. Best to start with a clean slate. She
doesn’t know my game either, so hopefully she’ll think more about my game than I will about hers.

Anyway, I’m sure she’ll want to go for broke. She’s a younger sister, too. Her older sister, Alona, has won a bunch of tournaments.
We younger sisters have to stick together, but not here. We always feel like we have something to prove. Trust me, I know.
Just don’t want her to go proving it on me.

Still, wish I didn’t know who I was playing just yet. It’s a jinx thing. Plus, now that I know, I have to do my homework.
Venus knows everyone’s game, so I’ll have to check in with V, to see how Kateryna plays. I played her sister Alona earlier
this year in Rome, on clay. Kicked her butt. 6–2, 6–0. If Kateryna asks her big sister for a report on my game, she might
wish she hadn’t.

Agggghhhh!!! Why am I putting so much into this? Just play your game, Serena, and you’ll be OK. What really has me down is
that I’ll have to play Venus so early. Should have shrugged it off, but it’s bugging me. So upsetting. Ruined my whole week.
I’m pissed because it means one of us will be out early. The way I’m practicing, it just might be me, I’m afraid.

Really, really, really need to start having better practices. Today’s session a bit better, but still feeling sluggish, slow.
Highlight of my day? A turkey burger, delivered to my room. I don’t eat red meat, but this burger was unbelievable!!! TDF!!!
Relaxing in my hotel room, taking it easy, eating this heavenly burger, watching these old Superman cartoons to get me motivated
for the tournament. I love that stuff!!! Just watched the one that shows how he was born.

Off to watch another episode. Then, sleep. Until tomorrow…

XXX, S

Monday, August 25, 2008

I don’t play today. I’m not used to it. I’m in the top half of the draw, and we play Tuesday. All this week, I’ve prepared
to play on Monday, but it’s an extra day to get my body right. That’s how I have to think of it, but today at practice my
back was killing me again. All because of that stupid flight, I think. That’s what you get, Serena, for trying to save a couple
bucks. My knee is okay, though. And my shoulder was giving me some trouble, but now it seems fine.

Feeling good to go. Only practiced for an hour, then hit the gym. Another hard workout. Hope all this work pays off. Trying
not to think about Bondarenko. Let her think about me. Venus says I can run her around. Don’t think I’ll have too much to
worry about, if I’m on my game. If I’m strong. If, if, if…

Watched James Blake play Donald Young, both African-American players. Went to five sets. Donald Young is
so so so
young, like 20 or 21!!! Came away thinking with another year or two of experience, he’d win the same match. Oh, well… Great
to be out there, watching. No pressure. Reminds me why I play. It’s such a beautiful game. You need to be smart, graceful,
fierce!!! To shut everything else out and just go for it. It’s just you out there, slugging it out.