London — Margaret Court, an Australian tennis legend, has stated that her admiration for Serena Williams is not reciprocated after Williams resigned with only one major win short of matching her record of 24 grand slam singles titles.
On Friday, after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia in the third round of the US Open, Williams was universally praised as the greatest tennis player of all time.
The 40-year-old finishes her career with 23 majors, one less than Court, who holds the record for both men and women.
“Serena, I’ve always admired her as a player,” Court said in a rare interview with Britain’s Daily Telegraph. I do not believe she has ever admired me.
The 80-year-old Perth-based priest has become a polarizing character in tennis due to her comments on race and homosexuality, especially her opposition to gay marriage.
Despite her great performance throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Court feels underappreciated in the sport.
“It’s quite unfortunate that the press and television do not want to highlight my name today, especially in tennis,” she remarked.
“Only when absolutely necessary, as I still hold so many records. I was supposed to visit Wimbledon in 2020 for the 50th anniversary of my calendar grand slam.
“But then Covid struck, thus the honor was never bestowed… I have not received recognition for what I have done. In my own country, I have been given honorifics, although they prefer not to mention me.
This year, I attended Wimbledon and hardly one spoke to me. So I thought, “That’s quite intriguing.”
Overall, Court won 64 grand slam singles, doubles, and mixed doubles trophies, compared to Williams’ 39.
The Australian, who won her last major singles title in 1973, stated, “I don’t think anyone will ever surpass the 64.”
Court stated, “Serena has played seven years longer than I have.” “I completed it in my early 30s. People overlook the fact that I took two years off. I initially quit at age 25, like Ash Barty, believing I would never play tennis again. After getting married and having a child, I enjoyed one of my greatest years, winning 24 of 25 events.
The court ruled that her record as a mother was superior to that of the American.
“I returned after having two children,” she said. “After having my first child, I won three of four Grand Slams. And Serena has not won a Grand Slam since giving birth.”
Court added that playing in her era was more difficult.
“We had to play every week as amateurs because we had no money,” she stated. “Now, they are free to depart and return whenever they like.
“We’d be gone for ten months. I took my first retirement in 1965 because I frequently felt homesick. You may be with the occasional person, but it’s not the same as being with your family. No psychologists or coaches were present. This is an entirely different planet. It dissatisfies me that modern players disregard the history of the game.”
AFP