Tennis: Serena not 'obsessed' with Court's Slam record, says coach | ABS-CBN

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Tennis: Serena not 'obsessed' with Court's Slam record, says coach

Tennis: Serena not 'obsessed' with Court's Slam record, says coach

Agence France-Presse

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Serena Williams of the U.S. after winning her fourth round match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka. Loren Elliott, Reuters.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Serena Williams' coach insisted she's not "obsessed" with equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles, arguing her achievements could not be compared with titles won in the amateur era.

The 39-year-old, 23-time major winner has lost four Slam finals while chasing Court's all-time mark since her last major victory at Melbourne Park in 2017 while pregnant.

Despite now having a three-year-old daughter, Olympia, in tow, Williams is still grinding away. But her coach Patrick Mouratoglou said she had nothing to prove.

"Does she need that validation (of winning a 24th Slam)? I don't think she needs that validation," he said.

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"But, I mean, clearly she came back to tennis to win some other Grand Slams, so that's for sure the goal.

"Now, she's not as obsessed with the 24 than most of the people in the tennis world, but definitely she wants to win Grand Slams."

He suggested Williams had already proved herself as the greatest of all time, given Court won 13 of her titles in the pre-professional Open era which started in 1968.

"There is tennis before the Open era and tennis after the Open era," he said.

"We all know it's two different sports. It's an amateur sport and a professional sport. Doesn't make really sense to compare."

Williams has looked sharp at Melbourne Park so far, although she was tested by big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka over three sets on Sunday.

But she counter-attacked superbly to come through and set up a quarter-final on Tuesday against second seed Simona Halep.

Mouratoglou said Williams was moving better than at any time since giving birth.

"It's something that we have put the emphasis on because in tennis that's probably one of the most important things. If you are late on the ball, you can't do what you want to do," he said.

"It's something that probably in the last two, three years, this had consequences for Serena.

"I think it cost her a few important matches, so we have decided to find a way to bring back the footwork that she used to have in the past. I feel like she's done a great job."

© Agence France-Presse

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Marcos orders creation of task force for PH hosting of FIVB Worlds

Marcos orders creation of task force for PH hosting of FIVB Worlds

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

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Updated Feb 13, 2025 08:27 PM PHT

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MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force that would coordinate for the country's hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship.

The Administrative Order 30, which was released on Tuesday and was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for Marcos, directs several government agencies chaired by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to help prepare and organize the 32-nation championship event hosted through the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) set for September 12 to 28.

The PSC will be the task force secretariat, and 17 different government bodies — Departments of Tourism, Budget and Management, Education, Trade and Industry, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Health, Information and Communication Technology, Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways and Transportation, as well as the Commission on Higher Education, Metro Manila Development Authority, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Bureaus of Immigration and Customs and the Presidential Communications Office — would complete the task force.

The funding for the order's implementation “shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the respective agencies, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations,” according to the AO.

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Meanwhile, the PNVF lauded Malacañang's directive through its chief, PNVF president Ramon Suzara. Presidential son Vinny Marcos is also the co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of this prestigious event.

Alas Pilipinas Men, participating in the world championship by virtue of hosting, are grouped in Pool A together with Iran, Egypt and Tunisia.

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