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Serena Williams says she's ready to go

U.S. Open tennis defending champion Serena Williams speaks during a press conference at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015. Williams is in position to win a Grand Slam this year if she wins the U.S. Open tennis tournament. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
U.S. Open tennis defending champion Serena Williams speaks during a press conference at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015. Williams is in position to win a Grand Slam this year if she wins the U.S. Open tennis tournament. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK – In her final news conference before she starts her quest to complete the first women's calendar Grand Slam in 27 years, Serena Williams said Thursday afternoon that she's as calm as she's ever been.

"I don't feel that fresh pressure," she said. "If I make it far, maybe I'll start to feel pressure. But as of now, I really don't feel any."

It's the classic Serena response, staying calm and collected as she heads into a tournament. Her real emotions never really appear until she's facing potential defeat.

No matter that this one carries more weight than any in her illustrious career. She enters with a chance to become the first player to finish a calendar Grand Slam since Steffi Graf did so in 1988. With seven U.S. Open titles, she would pass Chris Everett with the most ever, and tie Graf for most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. She'd reset her own record as oldest woman to ever win a major. The list goes on, but that's how this entire year has been for her.

"I have to say I think Wimbledon gave me unbelievable practice for this," she said. "At Wimbledon I was going for the second Serena Slam. That is rare. So that really gave me the best practice and preparation in terms of going for the Grand Slam."

She's been relaxed enough to sing karaoke and hang out with friends in the week leading up to the tournament. Yet even for someone as accomplished as Serena, this moment is a bit surreal.

"I never really thought I would be in this position where I would even be talking about records, talking about passing Steffi Graf or even mentioning Margaret Court. I mean, I just grew up trying to be the best that I could and do the best that I could," she said. "I don't put that pressure on myself to do anything here."