'I don't think she Admired Me': Margaret Court Speaks Bluntly About Serena Williams
WTA
There have been many tributes to Serena Williams after her career ended at the US Open, but fellow tennis legend Margaret Court spoke bitterly in a recent interview about no one ever mentioning her anymore.
Court holds a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other female or male player. All those major crowns were won in the 1960s and 1970s, meaning most tennis fans are too young to remember her greatness.
Williams came closer than anyone to matching Court. She retired with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, but the 40-year-old lost her final four major finals, missing several opportunities to equal or surpass the Australian's record.
A loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the US Open third round meant Williams bid farewell to professional tennis, and several of the tributes to the legendary American have praised her as the greatest female player ever.
Although Court holds the most Grand Slams, the much higher physicality of the women's game now makes many believe Williams deserves to be considered the best female player of all time, ahead of Court and others like Steffi Graf
In an interview with the Telegraph, Court thinks people forget that she still holds many records despite having a shorter career and believes that Williams has never admired her.
“It’s very sad, because a lot of the press and television today, particularly in tennis, don’t want to mention my name. It’s only when they have to, because I still hold so many records. 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. Serena, I’ve admired her as a player. But I don’t think she has ever admired me.”
It is true that some do not acknowledge Court's achievements because they were so long ago. For example, Chris Evert did not mention her when discussing who the most accomplished female player ever is.
