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'Missing or taken': Serena Williams' stunning claim about grand slam trophies

Tennis superstar Serena Williams suspects a couple of her grand slam trophies are either missing or have been pinched by light-fingered party guests. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Tennis superstar Serena Williams suspects a couple of her grand slam trophies are either missing or have been pinched by light-fingered party guests. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Tennis icon Serena Williams has revealed she doesn’t know the exact whereabouts of a number of her grand slam trophies.

Williams, who has won 23 grand slams, the most in the open era and second most of all time behind Margaret Court, said she wasn’t sure where some of her trophies were during an interview with talk show host Stephen Colbert.

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She told The Late Show with Stephen Colbert she suspected a couple of trophies had gone missing after a particularly rambunctious party she’d hosted.

“I think one or two or three are missing or have been taken,” Williams said.

“Honestly, I feel like I had a house party years ago and someone got a little too happy at it, and, like — I don't know, but I always wonder, ‘Wait, is that where one of my Wimbledon trophies went?’

“But fortunately enough I’m not attached. I’m not really attached to things.”

Williams also revealed the trophy for the first grand slam she won, the 1999 US Open, was given to her father.

The 39-year-old won her first grand slam as a teenager, and vowed to her father there would be more grand slam trophies to come after her first - a prediction that quickly proved to be on the money.

“My first Grand Slam I actually left at my dad’s house at the time,” Williams said, “and I said, ‘You keep it because I’m going to get another one.’

“That was the U.S. Open. Of course, I was able to get another one.”

Ash Barty has improved for 2021: coach

Ash Barty's trusted mentor is ready to unleash a superior version of the world No.1 than before her 11-month layoff from competitive tennis.

Declaring a mentally refreshed and physically stronger Barty a genuine chance of winning next month's Australian Open despite her near year-long hiatus, coach Craig Tyzzer says the pair used her time out to improve all areas of the 2019 French Open champion's game.

And while conceding the lack of tournament play remains the "biggest unknown" for Barty's Open prospects, Tyzzer couldn't be happier with the 24-year-old's preparation.

"She's hit some pretty good form. We've played a lot of match play in the last few weeks so she's pretty ready to play. I'm really happy with how she's striking the ball," Tyzzer told AAP on Wednesday.

Ash Barty's coach Craig Tyzzer says he's expected to see a new and improved player during the Australian Open. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Ash Barty's coach Craig Tyzzer says he's expected to see a new and improved player during the Australian Open. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

In addition to playing practice matches with fellow Australians Lizette Cabrera, Kim Birrell and Sam Stosur, Tyzzer has pitted Barty against several men's stars "just to give her some variety and to put her in some uncomfortable spots".

In Melbourne, Barty has regularly taken on respected coach Jake Eames, the hitting partner of former world No.1 and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki.

"Matches are completely different. No matter what you do, I don't think you can replicate practice matches," Tyzzer said.

"That's probably been the hardest thing for her. That's why some of the boys have tried to push her and put her in some tough situations."

With AAP

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