美国国家公共电台 NPR--Serena Williams wins her first-round match of what could be her last U.S. Open

Serena Williams wins her first-round match of what could be her last U.S. Open

Transcript¹

In what might be the final tournament of her storied tennis career, Serena Williams won an emotional match in straight sets in the first round of the U.S. Open last night.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Whenever Serena Williams may play her final match, it was not last night. Based on her statements, this could be her last U.S. Open. She says she plans to evolve away from tennis. But she won her first round match. NPR's Tom Goldman is in New York.

TOM GOLDMAN, BYLINE²: Serena Williams is a player whose stellar career has been measured in finals and championships. So when Williams walked out for a first round match to this...

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: The greatest of all time, Serena Williams.

(CHEERING)

GOLDMAN: ...She said later, it was overwhelming. She felt it in her chest.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

SERENA WILLIAMS: I was just thinking, like, is this for real, really? And at the same time, I'm also thinking, you know, I still have a match to play, and I want to be able to play up to this reception.

GOLDMAN: And she did.

(APPLAUSE)

GOLDMAN: That was Williams winning the first set against Danka Kovinic. The 27-year-old hard server from Montenegro had a 3-2 lead in that set before Williams won four straight games to finish it off. Poor Kovinic. Nary a come on, Danka, was heard from the crowd. Suffice to say, nearly all of the record 29,000-plus who packed Arthur Ashe Stadium wanted Kovinic to submit to their queen. She ultimately did - 6-3, 6-3 - not without some strong rallies and serves, but Williams was in throwback mode, serving nine aces³, hammering service returns and groundstrokes and wiping clean the very recent memory of her crummy play since coming back in June after a long injury layoff⁴. Another surprise for Williams - a post-match on-court tribute where she talked about what she'll do in retirement⁵, a word she hates to use.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

WILLIAMS: I really wanted to spend more time at home and working on my spiritual life, and that was really important to me, so, yeah, it's, like, Serena 2.0.

GOLDMAN: But later, answering a reporter's question - is this really your last tournament? - she sounded more Serena 1.0.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

WILLIAMS: Yeah, I've been pretty vague about it, right? I'm going to stay vague 'cause you never know.

GOLDMAN: Maybe that's what a solid win does for you - keeps you vague. But the future could get clearer after Williams' next match. It's a tougher one against Anett Kontaveit, the No. 2 seed.

Tom Goldman, NPR News, New York.

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

3 aces   

abbr.adjustable convertible-rate equity security (units) 可调节的股本证券兑换率；aircraft ejection seat 飞机弹射座椅；automatic control evaluation simulator 自动控制评估模拟器n.擅长…的人( ace的名词复数 )；精于…的人；（ 网球 ）（对手接不到发球的）发球得分；爱司球

参考例句：

• The local representative of ACES will define the local area. ACES的当地代表将划定当地的范围。 来自互联网
• Any medical expenses not covered by ACES insurance are the sole responsibility of the parents. 任何ACES保险未包括的医疗费用一律是父母的责任。 来自互联网

4 layoff   

n.临时解雇，操作停止，活动停止期间，失业期

参考例句：

• Finally, prepare an explanation about what led to your layoff.最后，要准备好一套说辞来解释你被解雇的原因。
• Workers were re-employed after the layoff.在暂时解雇不久后工人们又被再度雇用了。

5 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。