Serena Williams dropped flat on her back after Caroline Wozniacki pounded a backhand long on match point. Williams put her hands over her face, hiding tears as she lay there for nearly 20 seconds.
A distressing year ended with utter dominance and more history. Her supposed demise after her Wimbledon doubles meltdown was much ado about nothing.
After failing to get out of the fourth round in the first three Grand Slams, including a third-round KO at Wimbledon followed by that bizarre doubles episode, Williams won her first major of 2014 and the historic 18th of her career. And she acted like she had just won her first.
Williams cruised to her third straight U.S. Open championship, sixth U.S. Open title of her career and 18th Grand Slam title. She routed her buddy Wozniacki 6-3, 6-3 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in 75 minutes. It was no way to treat a friend, but Williams said she would buy her beach buddy drinks later in the evening.
Williams tied Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova with 18 Slams. Her six U.S. Opens also tied Evert in the open era.
“I definitely didn’t think I’d win a Slam this year,’’ Williams said. “I even said, ‘I’m ready to start next year already. Let’s put this behind me.’ ’’
Williams’ 2014 season was only a drought by Serena standards.
“[Grand Slam title 18] was eluding me for three tournaments,’’ Williams said. “But, still, that’s a lot for me.’’
Evert and Navratilova came onto the court during the ceremony to present Williams with an 18-carat gold Tiffany bracelet with an “18’’ charm. It was a nice trinket to go along with Williams’ $4 million prize money — $3 million first prize and $1 million bonus for winning the Open’s hardcourt series.
“I just could never have imagined that I would be mentioned with Chris Evert or with Martina, because I was just a kid with a dream and a racket, living in Compton,’’ Williams said.
There’s still more history to make despite her turning 33 this month. Margaret Court has the all-time record with 24 Grand Slam titles, and Steffi Graf holds the open-era record with 22.
“I am thinking about 19, which I’m kind of disappointed,” said Williams. “Hasn’t even been three hours and I’m already mentioning 19. Oh, gosh. But not 22. Taking it one at a time.’’
Serena’s mother, Oracene Price, said she feels her daughter has nothing left to prove. Orascene prefers she retire, but knows she won’t anytime soon.
“As all athletes, they’re not going to retire until they are completely broken down,’’ Oracene said. “But it would be nice [if she did].’’
During the on-court title ceremony, Williams was emotional, noting it had been 15 years since she won her first Slam — in Flushing. She said to Wozniacki, “You know the struggles I’ve been through — we text almost every day. You’ll be winning very, very soon, maybe the Australian, so I got to go home and get fit again.”
Williams overpowered Wozniacki all afternoon and broke the Great Dane’s serve five times. Williams’ deep, blazing ground strokes had Wozniacki on the run all match. Williams bashed 29 winners to Wozniacki’s 4.
“One of the best matches she’s played in a long time,’’ Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou said. “She worked to build her confidence back. Her confidence in matches went low because she lost more than usual, early in the Grand Slams. She worked to build it back. It was not easy. It showed unbelievable ability. She built it up match after match until here. Champions are all human.’’
Wozniacki, making her second appearance in the Open final and first since 2009, posted just one winner in the first set — and that was a service ace.
“You really deserved it today,’’ Wozniacki said during Williams’ trophy ceremony. “You played better than me and you’ve been an inspiration and a great friend and definitely owe me drinks later.”
“Yeah, we’re going to hang out later tonight,’’ Williams said. “I definitely will buy the drinks.’’
The match was sloppy early on as five straight service breaks were posted. But Wozniacki ultimately couldn’t keep up and Williams feasted on her second serve.
But it was a good run for Wozniacki, whose tennis has come alive since golfer Rory McIlroy called off their wedding in May in a well-publicized breakup.
“She’s ready for anything now — four months ago doesn’t exist,’’ her father and coach Piotr Wozniacki said. “Tennis is her job.’’
Piotr said Williams’ topspin was more wicked than usual, giving Wozniacki no chance to dictate points with the ball rising high on the bounce.
“Serena was champion from first ball to last ball today,’’ Wozniacki’s father said.