NEW YORK — Someone, of course, will end up in the history books as the last opponent of Serena Williams‘ stellar career. It could be Danka Kovinic, a 27-year-old from Montenegro who is “honored” to be the first-round U.S. Open foe of someone she remembers watching on TV as a child.
Their match – scheduled for Arthur Ashe Stadium at 7 p.m. on Monday night, Day 1 of the Grand Slam tournament that Williams has indicated will mark her farewell – is the first time the two women have shared a court.
Kovinic’s reaction when she heard about the matchup from her coach: “I was happy; I won’t lie.”
“It’s a privilege to share the court with Serena,” Kovinic said in an interview at Flushing Meadows on Friday. “I just really hope that I can show my good game. Maybe my best game.”
They’ve crossed paths in tour locker rooms over the years, but Kovinic said she never got up the nerve to request a joint practice session.
“I was like, ‘OK, that’s Serena and I am Danka,’ ” said the 80th-ranked Kovinic, whose best Grand Slam results were reaching the third round at the Australian Open in January and French Open in May before losing at each to a major champion (Iga Swiatek in Melbourne; Simona Halep in Paris). “I didn’t feel like I could approach her to ask.”
Other topics will be of interest over the coming two weeks.
But for now, and especially on Monday, nothing – and no one – in tennis matters as much as Williams.
“Serena is an icon. If I wasn’t playing her on Monday, I wouldn’t have all this attention. I’m aware of that,” Kovinic said. “So it’ll be a very nice experience and, at the same moment, maybe a little bit stressful. Of course I will feel pressure. But I will try to turn it into something positive.”
What is she most eager to find out about Williams’ game?
“Everything,” Kovinic said with a chuckle. “I know she hits hard, but I don’t know how different that is from the other girls I play.”
Other players can imagine what these circumstances might feel like for Kovinic, who has a 2-4 career record at the U.S. Open – 104 fewer match wins at the place than 23-time Grand Slam champ Williams, who turns 41 on Sept. 26.
“It’s a tough one,” said Caroline Garcia, who is seeded 17th and could meet Williams if both reach the semifinals. “Danka knows that she’s going to step on court with every single person there against her. When Serena was playing in the past, the atmosphere already was electric, so I can’t imagine what it’ll be out there now.”
Garcia is coming off a title last…
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