Serena Williams © Getty Images

Serena: ?Toronto a Big Tournament for Me?

August 15, 2005 - Grand Slam winner Serena Williams says she loves Toronto and is thrilled to be at the Rogers Cup presented by American Express after winning the title here in 2001.

?I love Toronto?, she told reporters Monday. ?This tournament was No. 1 on my list since I missed it the last two years. I really, really wanted to be here this year. This tournament is going to be the only one before the U.S. Open for me.?

Serena's last tournament was Wimbledon. There, she lost in the third round to American Jill Craybas after re-injuring her left ankle and knee. She says she needs some match play here in Toronto and Tuesday night she will start by playing France's Stephanie Cohen-Aloro at 7:30.

As one of the women stars of the Sony Ericsson WTA tour playing at the Rexall Centre for the first time, Serena was wowed by the new stadium. ?It is awesome,? she said. ?It reminds me of the stadium in Miami (where the Nasdaq-100 is played) but it is a little better.?

And of the perks the Rogers Cup offers to the players? ?They have waxing here and they don't necessarily have it at other tournaments,? she said. ?So I was like okay, I'm going to get my underarms waxed.?

The stars of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour will debut at the world class Rexall Centre in Toronto as part of the Rogers Cup, presented by American Express, August 13–21st. To purchase tickets please call 1-877-2-TENNIS ext. 4333 or visit on-line at <a href="http://tickets.rexallcentre.com/English/tickets.asp" target="_blank">www.rogerscup.com</a>

MORE NEWS +