Maybe the most perfect part of Serena Williams’ constant quest for her record-tying 24th Grand Slam title is that she is battling not just age (39 now) or the demands of motherhood (her daughter Alexis was born in 2017) but the challenges and challengers she herself all but created.
Serena wouldn’t still be a contender, in the semifinals of the Australian Open long past a time anyone thought she’d still play elite tennis, if she didn't possess the kind talent and determination that inspires.
In this case, one of the inspirations — 23-year-old Naomi Osaka — will be standing across the net from Serena (10 p.