Serena Williams' return to the US Open for the first time since becoming a mother will be an emotional experience, partly because her daughter Alexis-Olympia's first birthday is right in the middle of the tournament.
Serena will have the fans firmly behind her in New York and the 36-year-old is looking to win a 24th grand slam title and equal Australian Margaret Court's record haul.
The number 17 seed has spoken openly about the challenges she has faced trying to combine being a mum and a professional tennis player, and 18-time grand slam winner Chris Evert says Serena must find a way to channel her emotions on court.
"To turn the switch on and off (between being a tennis player and a mother) is very difficult, and that's what Serena's trying to navigate," Evert said.
"This nurturing feeling ... doesn't switch on and off. Even if it's not consciously there when she's on court, it's in the back of her mind and it will creep in once in a while because she's not a robot."
Serena has shown in the past a great ability to raise her game when the occasion demands it.
"I know one thing, never underestimate Serena," former player Brad Gilbert said. "If she can get through the first week ... she becomes a different player."
One knock-on effect of Serena's maternity leave is that she has lost some of her aura of invincibility, with opponents now more likely to try and take the game to her.
"Two years ago when people took the court against her, they were just hoping not to get beat 6-1 6-1. They were 4-0 (down) out of the tunnel, and these top five and top 10 players would get blown out before even walking on the court," Gilbert added.
"Every great player in the history of the game builds up equity by crushing people, and then all of a sudden when that doesn't happen... people (think), 'you know what, I have a chance today'."
If Serena triumphs she will join Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters are the only mothers to win grand slams in the professional era.
"Even more than the physical part, the emotional part is the toughest one to try to figure out for Serena to be successful ... and also to feel guilt-free that she's spending enough time with her child," Evert said.
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