Serena Williams: Is this the beginning of the end?

Serena Williams is always expected to win - every Slam, every WTA tournament and every match.

There’s no one to blame but herself for setting the standards so high. Her dominance on the circuit has been so pronounced and long lived that it’s hard to remember those times when she was down and out, mostly due to injuries. She, along with sister Venus Williams, gave a whole new meaning to Women’s Tennis thereby elevating it to a plane higher than never before.

However, these days it is a different story.

Serena Williams is yet a win a title in 2016. The knee injury has been rearing its ugly head every now and then forcing the World No.1 to withdraw from tournaments. Williams has lost in her last two Slam appearances – the US Open 2015 Semi Final and the Australian Open 2016 Final – to underdogs. Lower ranked players are pushing her to three Sets in WTA tournaments.

She seemed on course to accomplish some unfinished business at the Indian Wells. After having to pull out of the tournament in 2015 in which she made an emotional comeback after a 14-year boycott, she was the favorite to win the title this year. It was not to be.

Victoria Azarenka executed the perfect game plan to oust Williams in the Indian Wells Final. She received serves from a foot within the baseline and dictated points by staying put there and not backing out.

Even when Williams threw bombs at her, Azarenka fended them off with some remarkable defense. She showed a lot of hunger and heart in her rout of the mighty Williams. After being so close to achieving the feat in her last three encounters, Azarenka held her nerve from beginning to end while the 21 time Grand Slam Champion struggled to find answers.

More question marks popped over the future of the great Williams after her Fourth Round exit from the Miami Open, a title that she has won a record eight times. Her stranglehold on the title was brought to an end by another veteran, Svetlana Kuznetsova, who made her last Quarter Final appearance in 2009.

So, why is Serena Williams losing?

Although it is tough to put a finger on a particular reason, her last few matches give a glimpse of a combination of factors contributing to her defeats. Her last four routs have not come at the hands of young guns like the Pliskovas and the Bencics. But she has lost to improved players who have been on the circuit for quite some time. Roberta Vinci (32), Angelique Kerber (28), Victoria Azarenka (26) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (30) are the last four players to conquer Williams.

While each of them has their distinct style, there are a few elements in common they employed to down Williams. They moved her around the court, got more balls back and played aggressively to give her a taste of her own medicine.

Williams has always been a slow starter. In almost every match, she gets off the blocks slowly but when she catches up there is nothing stopping her. However, her intensity and explosive game have been waning off late.

Williams’ own inconsistency and injuries have compounded her problem further. She has made a conscious effort to cut down on rallies and to keep the points short by taking to the net. Probably, it’s a bit of fitness and a bit of nerves that have spoilt the recipe for winning.

Following her defeat at the Miami Open, Williams mentioned that she has to be at 300% these days to win her matches. But is it possible at 34?

Chris Evert, winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, lost a Semi Final and a Final in Grand Slams before winning her last French Open title in 1986 at the age of 31. The Great Martina Navratilova lost two Slam Finals before clinching her 18th Grand Slam title and a 9th Wimbledon at the age of 34.

After a two-year drought at the Slams, Steffi Graf won her last Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 1999. She had failed to go beyond the Quarter Final stages in Grand Slams in 1997 and 1998. Graf retired after her last Wimbledon Final at the age of 29.

She said, "I have done everything I wanted to do in tennis. I feel I have nothing left to accomplish. The weeks following Wimbledon weren't easy for me. I was not having fun anymore. After Wimbledon, for the first time in my career, I didn't feel like going to a tournament. My motivation wasn't what it was in the past."

What is left for Serena Williams to achieve?

She has won 21 Singles Grand Slams titles, 13 Doubles Grand Slam titles and 2 Mixed Doubles Grand Slam titles. A mind-boggling total of 36 Grand Slam titles, a number that is unheard of in tennis history. Williams has also won 4 Olympic Gold Medals.

Her list of accomplishments is nothing short of impressive and it would be a daunting task for any player to emulate a career as incredible as hers.

Does Williams lack motivation now or is her body giving up?

Although her greatness has no expiry, her longevity definitely does. The patterns are indicative and the signs are ominous.

Serena Williams may never win another Grand Slam title.