Sydney: American tennis star Serena Williams has said that she has moved on from her foul-mouthed outburst on a lineswoman at last September's US Open.
Serena was fined a record 82,500 dollars by the International Tennis Federation for abusing the Japanese official for foot-faulting her in the US Open semi-final against Kim Clijsters.
“I don't feel one way or the other about it now. It was what it was and I think I've spoken enough about it since. You guys know me, I feel like it's over,” Serena said.
Serena further said that she was confident of defending her Australian Open crown at Melbourne Park later this month.
“I'm feeling really good. It always takes a little while to get into a new season, it always takes a couple of matches, but regardless I'm going in with a positive attitude,” Serena said.
The 28-year-old also insisted that she isn’t under any pressure to retain her top ranking despite Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin coming back in the mix in 2010.
“I don't think about it a lot. I've got a lot on my plate. Everyone assumes that I'm No 1 anyway. My main goals are always to stay healthy, and that's a huge goal for any athlete. For me, it's all about doing the best that I can,” Serena said.
“Obviously I love playing well in all the grand slams and I hate to lose, regardless of where it is. Whenever I play, I give 200 per cent and whether that's becoming No 1 as a result or becoming No 50, it doesn''t matter as long as you enjoy what you do,” she added.
ANI
First Published: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 18:44