Australian tennis legend Margaret Court acknowledged that Serena Williams played played for several more years than she did and also appeared to suggest that she has achieved more than the American. Court captured 64 Grand Slam titles over the course of her career – 24 in singles, 19 in women’s doubles and 21 in mixed doubles.
But 11 of Court’s 24 Grand Slam singles were won before the Open Era. After giving birth in 1972, Court returned the following year and won three Grand Slams. Williams, who captured a total of 39 Grand Slam titles (23 in singles, 14 in women’s doubles and two in mixed doubles), didn’t win a Grand Slam after becoming mother.
“The 64 – I don’t think anyone will ever touch,” Court told The Daily Telegraph. “Serena has played seven years more than I did. I finished in my early 30s. People forget that I took two years out.
I first retired like Ash Barty when I was 25, thinking I would never return to tennis. I got married, had a baby, but then had one of my best years, winning 24 out of 25 tournaments. I came back after two babies. After having the first baby, I won three out of the four Slams.
Serena hasn’t won a Slam since [she gave birth]”.
Court: I have admiration for Williams, but she doesn’t for me
“Serena, I’ve admired her as a player,” Court claimed. “But I don’t think she has ever admired me”.
Also, Court expressed she feels that today’s era is “so much easier.” . “I would love to have played in this era. I think it’s so much easier,” she said. “How I would love to have taken family or friends along with me.
But I couldn’t. I had to go on my own or with the national team. People don’t see all that. We didn’t have psychologists or coaches with us. It’s a whole different world. That’s what disappoints me – that players today don’t honour the past of the game”.
