- I’ts not Novak Djokovic: Tennis icon Stan Smith chooses the greatest player of all
time - She was World No. 3, won two Grand Slams but an horrific injury cut her career
short: ‘Nobody could understand’
By Natalia Lobo:
Despite what one might think, there is not a consensus about who is the greatest
tennis player of all time. It all depends, of course, in which way one defines
greatness. Is it titles? Is it about impact? Is it talent? Is it a combination of
everything? In that sense, many legends and stars have put their arguments on
the table. One of them is former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka.Osaka.
The Japanese star, winner of four Grand Slams titles, said that Serena Williams is
the “biggest” thing that will ever happen to the sport, even more so than Rafael
Nadal or Roger Federer, who are also considered GOATS.
“I think that her legacy is really wide, to the point where you can’t even describe it
in words. Like, she changed the sport so much,” Osaka said in 2022, as Williams
retired, according to the US Open official website. “She’s introduced people that
have never heard of tennis to the sport.”
She continued, “I think I’m a product of what she’s done. I wouldn’t be here
without Serena, Venus, her whole family. I’m very thankful to her. I honestly think
that she’s the biggest force in the sport. That’s not intentionally trying to, like,
make Federer or Nadal smaller. I just think she’s the biggest thing that will ever
be in the sport. It’s just really an honor just to watch her play.”
Apart from inspiring her to play tennis, Osaka and Williams’s stories will be
forever intertwined, as the Japanese player won her first Grand Slam by beating
Serena in the now-infamous 2018 US Open final. While the match was marked by
Williams’ heated argument with strict umpire Carlos Ramos—who had also
clashed with Nadal and Novak Djokovic—Osaka dominated from start to finish,
displaying incredible focus against the legend
Serena Williams’ arguments to be the GOAT
Williams has more than enough arguments to be the sports’ GOAT. She won 23
Grand Slam titles, being behind only Novak Djokovic (24) in the Open Era. She
also spent 319 weeks as World No. 1, including 186 consecutive weeks, tying
Steffi Graf’s record
During her career, Williams claimed a total of 73 WTA singles titles, including
victories at all four Grand Slam tournaments and five WTA Finals titles. And that’s
only in singles. In doubles, she won 14 Grand Slam titles alongside her sister
Venus Williams, as well as three Olympic gold medals in doubles and one in
singles, making her the only tennis player to achieve a career Golden Slam in
both disciplines.
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