The sky is the limit for seemingly ageless and unstoppable Serena Williams, says tennis great Martina Navratilova.
Navratilova expects Williams to equal her total of 18 grand slam singles titles at the Australian Open this month, and then eclipse Steffi Graf’s all-time record of 22 slams.
“If she can stay healthy there is no doubt she can go into the 20s, the sky is the limit,” Navratilova said on Tuesday.
Navratilova said she was in awe of the consistent excellence of 32-year-old Williams, who lost just four of 82 singles matches last year.
“I know how hard it is once you get to 30, all those little niggling injuries get worse and it’s much easier to have an off day,” Navratilova said.
“Yet she seems to be playing her best tennis right now.”
Navratilova, a headline attraction of the exhibition World Tennis Challenge starting Tuesday night in Adelaide, said Williams showed no sign of decline.
“At age 30, she had played about half the tournaments than I had played at 30, so she is fresh in tennis terms,” she said.
“But still, she is in her 30s … she is eager and winning is very contagious – once you get really used to it, you don’t want to let go of it.”
Former world No.1 Tracy Austin, also in Adelaide for the World Tennis Challenge, said Williams appeared motivated by surpassing Graf’s mark.
“I love the fact that she’s 32 years old and still seems to be as hungry, if not hungrier, than she has ever been,” Austin said.
“At 32, and realising that she is towards possibly the end of her career, she is now playing for history.
“Serena likes to be the best at everything and I think she wants to be the greatest player of all time on the women’s side.”