'Not Sure Serena Has The Most Accomplished Career': Evert On Williams' Achievements

Monday, 29 August 2022 at 01:40

Updated at Friday, 22 November 2024 at 04:02

byJordan Reynolds

Chris Evert has controversially questioned whether Serena Williams is the most accomplished female player ever despite calling her the best player until this point.

Williams will make her final professional appearance at the US Open. The legendary American announced her retirement earlier this month, saying she was evolving away from tennis.

Unless Williams causes a huge shock by winning a seventh US Open singles title, she will end with 23 Grand Slam titles: Seven each at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, six at the US Open, and three at Roland Garros.

Williams has also secured 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with sister and fellow tennis legend Venus Williams. After being given a wild card for the women's doubles at the US Open, Serena and Venus will play together one final time.

Evert is also one of the greatest players in tennis history, winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles in the 1970s and 1980s. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova, who also won 18 majors, was epic.

Speaking to the Guardian, Evert called Serena the best player until this point but is unsure if she is as accomplished as players like Navratilova and Steffi Graf because of their consistency.

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"There’s a different philosophy. It’s all about the Grand Slams. Is Serena the best tennis player until this point? Absolutely. But it’s complicated when you compare careers and wins and eras. I’m not sure she has the most accomplished career."

“It’s such a tough question. In her era she is the greatest of all time. Then there’s the most accomplished career – how many tournaments you won and how consistent you were and I always include Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova alongside Serena because in my era they were the greatest of all time.”

That is an interesting and nuanced take from Evert. It is true that Williams went through periods of inconsistency throughout her career despite being the best and most talented player of her generation.