#Cautious Serena Williams OK with US Open bubble in ‘asterisk’ year

Serena Williams says she’ll gladly deal with not having the raucous fans root her on at Ashe Stadium in her current mode of super safety.

Because of preexisting conditions which include multiple blood clots, Williams, 38, admitted she considered not playing the U.S. Open until heavy talks with USTA officials about their safety plan.

The tennis legend also believes an asterisk will be put on “everything’’ in 2020 – not just the U.S. Open champion.

In a Zoom call to promote the Western & Southern Open that’s been moved to Flushing and starts Saturday minus fans, Williams sounded relieved at the diligence of the USTA’s bubble plan.

Williams is one of the “limited’’ number of players who opted to rent a private house rather than stay in the bubble hotel by the Nassau Coliseum. She is vying to tie Margaret Court for most Grand Slam titles at 24.

“I didn’t want to be in the hotel because I have lung issues,’’ Williams said. “I felt it was a big risk personally. In my house I can control more. There’s no housekeeping as much. I want to be there because I have too many health issues. It’s important for me to take so many precautions. I really had to put my mind at rest to be able to perform in New York.”

Six of the top 10 women’s players backed out, including the defending champion Bianca Andreescu, who beat Williams in the 2019 Open Finals preventing her from trying Court last September.

“A lot of people are here, tremendous amount of people aren’t here as well,’’ Williams said. “Tennis still has to be played. I think this whole year deserves an asterisk. It’s such a special year in history in this world. Not this generation. Not this lifetime. In history period. We’re living a future history lesson.

“There’ll always be some kind of asterisk by it. It’s never been done before. If you win it, it’s like, wow, I was able to win in this crazy circumstance where there were no fans, sterile and weird but I eventually came through. It might be a more mental test than anything.’’

Williams has been the top fan favorite for years at the Open. Now there’s no fans to feed off.

“I hope I’m a fan favorite,’’ Williams said. “I love playing here. I’m vintage. I don’t have many years left. It would be nice to keep winning. I don’t mind not having the fans. I would love the fans to be here. It’s so special to play with the fans. They pull me up when I’m down. But we need to be safe right now. Let’s not have anyone and when we’re all feeling better, we can all come back and have fun.’’

Because of her past blood clots Williams said she’s taking an extraordinary amount of vitamins.

“There was definitely a point where in the beginning I said there was no way these tournaments can happen,’’ Williams said. “ But I had a lot great talks with people in the USTA about the protocols that they have, which are so intense. it definitely makes me feel safe. I see that every day they are following through with the protocols.”

With her own house, Williams has had to pay for the security to ensure she and her family are sticking to a bubble-like environment.

“They have make to sure they’re not leaving and going to nightclubs and restaurants,’’ Williams said. “Unfortunately sometimes people get antsy and want to go places. They’re doing a good job making sure everyone is staying to their word.”

Williams, traveling with a nearly 3-year-old daughter, Olympia, isn’t worried she can’t go to Manhattan.

“I don’t really go out much anymore,’’ Williams said. “It’s hard for me to go out. I might go to a restaurant every now and then. But during the US Open, it’s a hardship to go out. Everyone’s eyes are ready to see tennis players in New York. It’s not the best situation for me.”