Photo Source: Mark Peterson/ Corleve

Aussie legend Pat Cash says that Serena Williams hurt herself last year by playing mixed doubles with Andy Murray at Wimbledon. The duo teamed up for three matches and were eliminated in the round of 16. That was enough to make winning the singles title too tough for the 23-time major champ.

"At Wimbledon, she tried to make up for it by playing mixed doubles with Andy Murray, and that was a big mistake. It was great for the media, but by the time she got to the singles final, she was done,” Cash told Wide World of Sports. "Everyone was scratching their heads wondering why she was playing doubles and thinking it would be detrimental towards the end of the tournament, and it was. It quite possibly cost her a Wimbledon title.”



This year Cash sees a fitter Williams, one who just might be ready to finally end a three-year Grand Slam title drought.

"She seems to have worked hard on her fitness, so she'll be tough to beat in Melbourne,” he said. “It looks like she's just that little bit fitter than she was last year. She's realised it's held her back, and she's worked on it. She might only be a couple of per cent fitter, but it will be a big difference and she'll be a huge threat."

Williams looked strong in her Australian Opener and took down 18-year-old Anastasia Potapova, 6-0 6-3. She’ll face World No.64 Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia in her next match.