After Serena Williams resigned only one major shy of matching her all-time record of 24 grand slam singles victories, Australian tennis legend Margaret Court said that her respect for the American player was not shared.
Following her retirement from tennis on Friday after losing to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open, Williams was universally hailed as the greatest player in history.
However, the 40-year-old finishes her career with 23 majors, one fewer than Court, who owns the combined men’s and women’s record.
In a rare interview, Court told Britain’s Daily Telegraph, “Serena, I’ve admired her as a player.” But I doubt she has ever thought highly of me.
Due to her comments on race and homosexuality, especially her opposition to gay marriage, the 80-year-old tennis player who serves as a church pastor in Perth has become a contentious figure in the sport.
Despite having an outstanding record during the 1960s and the first part of the 1970s, Court believes she is undervalued in the sport.
It’s quite disappointing that so few media outlets nowadays, especially in tennis, want to mention her name, she added.
“Since I still hold so many records, they only do it when they really have to. I was supposed to visit Wimbledon in 2020 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of my calendar grand slam.
“But Covid struck, therefore the honour was never performed,” For what I accomplished, the honour has not been given. I have titles in my own country, yet they still choose not to mention me.
I attended Wimbledon this year, but nobody even said hello. I found it to be fascinating, so I said.
Court outperformed Williams overall, winning 64 grand slam championships in all, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles contests.
The Australian, who won her last major singles gold in 1973, said, “The 64 — I don’t believe anybody will ever touch.”
Serena has played for seven more years than I did, according to Court. “I completed it in my early 30s. People overlook the two years I spent away.
Like Ash Barty, I took my first retirement at the age of 25, believing I would never play tennis again. After getting married and having a child, I went on to have one of my greatest years, winning 24 out of 25 competitions.
The judge ruled that she had a better track record than the American after having children.
She stated, “I returned after having two kids. “I won three of the four Slams after having the first child. Since having a child, Serena hasn’t won a Slam.
Playing during her era, according to Court, was harder.
We had to play every week as amateurs because we had no money, she said. “They can now fly away whenever they want and return whenever they want.
“We planned a 10-month trip. It was for this reason that I first retired in 1965; I used to get homesick. Even if you could be hanging out with an oddball, it’s not like your family is present. We were not accompanied by psychologists or coaches. It’s a whole distinct planet. The fact that modern players don’t respect the history of the game is what disappoints me.