Still looking for No. 24, Serena trains on clay

Serena Williams last lifted the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen in 2015, but can she do it again in 2021? The American, who has been aiming to return to the Grand Slam winner’s circle following the birth of daughter Olympia in 2017, is getting ready for this season’s edition of Roland Garros.

Serena’s long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou posted on his social media channels a video of his charge practicing.

“You know what we’re after,” he wrote on Instagram, tagging Serena.

Clay is statistically Serena’s least favorite surface, though three of her 23 majors have come on the red dirt. To put it into perspective, her 73 career titles include just 13 clay-court victories.

Still, Mouratoglou believes Serena has a very strong chance to capture the elusive 24th major in Paris.

"I think she can really play very good on clay," Mouratoglou said. "She just has to be really very fit because on clay the serve is not as efficient and you have to work much more. Every rally is a fight.

"But I feel if she's really, really ready, physically 100 percent, then she can be very dangerous on clay, as well.

"The level is high but I still believe that, when Serena is 100 percent at the top of her physical form, she can win any slam."

Last September, she pulled out of the rescheduled 2020 edition before her second-round encounter due to a lingering Achilles injury.

The 39-year-old American hasn’t played since bowing out to eventual winner Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open in February, giving in to her emotions following the devastating defeat. She subsequently withdrew from the Miami Open, citing oral surgery.

The former world No. 1 is scheduled to play Rome, a warm-up event leading to the French Open, which kicks off on May 31.