Sports
Serena Not Obsessed With Grand Slam Record
Serena Williams has said that she is not feeling overburdened by the weight of history, despite missing another chance to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
The 37-year-old American was outplayed by Romania’s Simona Halep, who won her first Wimbledon title in a 6-2 6-2 win.
Defeat means Williams has now lost three Slam finals in the past year.
“Someone told me I shouldn’t look at the records, I should just focus on my game. That’s what I’ve been doing since I got to 18,” she said.
Williams’ last major title came at the 2017 Australian Open – when she was eight weeks pregnant – and moved her within one more of Margaret Court’s all-time record.
Williams took a year off the tour as she gave birth to her daughter Olympia in September 2017, returning to the sport six months later.
She has lost to Germany’s Angelique Kerber in last year’s Wimbledon final and then Japan’s Naomi Osaka in a controversial US Open final where an extraordinary outburst saw her call umpire Carlos Ramos a “thief” and a “liar”.
This latest defeat, against an inspired Halep, who chased down everything Williams threw at her, came after a frustrating year in which she has been hampered by a knee injury.
“It seems like every Grand Slam final I’m in recently it has been an unbelievable effort to get there,” she said.
“It would be interesting to see how it would be under different circumstances.”
Williams is already the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam title – her victory in Melbourne two years ago coming aged 35 years and 125 days – and she does not think her age is a barrier to clinching that elusive 24th.
“I feel like I’m still incredibly competitive or else I wouldn’t really be out here,” she said.
“For the most part, I feel like I’m on the right track. I’m just going in the right direction in terms of getting back to where I need to be.”
Two-time Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin suggested the weight of Williams matching Court’s record might be “getting into her head”.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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