Serena wins over crowd in French and with art

Serena Williams crushed French Open first round opponent Anna Tatishvili and then conquered another Roland Garros foe, the fickle Paris crowd with a live, confident speech in French.

The world number one and 2002 champion brushed aside Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1 while most of the well-heeled of Court Philippe Chatrier were still digesting lunch.

By the time they had retaken their seats, however, the 31-year-old American had them eating out of her hands by conducting her on-court interview in French.

It was something she had planned last year but that was before Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano sent her crashing to defeat in the first round, her worst ever Grand Slam loss.

Fast forward 12 months and Williams is transformed.

She has swept her last four tournaments, is on a 25-match winning streak and is the overwhelming favourite to collect a 15th major.

“It didn't work out for me last year,” said Williams. “I have been speaking French for years and years, but I don't really have a lot of confidence. I just had to kind of jump in. “Like once I get there and I get warmed up, I know how to say things and what I can speak.

It's just getting that confidence to speak in French. It's way, way, more nerve wracking than playing tennis.”

AFP