Serena Williams: 32 and still going strong

Sports fans and critics love to debate and get into engrossed discussions as to who is the greatest of all time but when it comes to women’s tennis that surely has come to an end with Serena Williams dominating the women’s tennis like nobody else has done before. At 32, she looks almost unstoppable and 2014 should see her leapfrog Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova who are on 18 Grand Slam singles titles and get closer to Steffi Graf’s 22 titles.

One sign of great champions is that it seems impossible to imagine them being beaten. Such is the case now with Serena Williams. In the 1960s, Margaret Court Smith reigned supreme. During the 1970s, Chris Evert wore that mantle and she always seemed a step ahead of other women. Through the 1980s, Martina Navratilova was just as dominant and was always the fittest, strongest player around. Into the 1990s, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles had periods when they seemed unbeatable. Today that player is Williams, but amazingly she is only now reaching her peak and she has reached 32.

Ever since she had announced herself to the tennis world as a 17-year-old in 1999, people knew that she was someone with a special talent destined for greatness. But somehow she never seemed to fulfil her potential in the early stages of her career. The problem with Serena was always her commitment. That lack of focus, combined with injuries, illness and personal tragedy, certainly made it seem like she was not living up to her promise. She had fantastic ability, but would turn up for big tournaments out of shape and not having played enough. It took a life-threatening blood clot and pulmonary embolism to completely turn around her fortunes. Since her return she has seemed more committed and determined to leave her stamp on the game.

Right now, Serena might just be playing the best tennis of her life. She’s won four majors in the last 16 months—a record for a woman over 30—and has been playing the most consistent tennis of her career. Even in the post Grand Slam season, the World No. 1’s motivation didn’t diminish one bit as she triumphed yet again in Beijing at the WTA Championships despite a back problem flaring up in the summit clash. Without losing a single set, she captured the 11th and final title of an astounding year. Her ability to win when at her most vulnerable shows that she is deserving of the best-ever praise. An athlete’s ability to win, even when not at his or her best, is what separates the good from the great. Williams set herself beyond even the greats with her displays this season.

Serena Williams will probably never be remembered as the most loved woman to grace the best courts in the world but as a player she is out on her own. So what are the attributes that sets her apart. She is the toughest woman ever to win big points against, and she has a serve that most men would be proud to own - she finished off Sharapova in the French final with a blaze of aces that emphasised what an advantage her serve is. Williams has a serve to die for, and backs it up with power and, these days, fierce determination. Plus, she’s arguably the sport’s best pure athlete. Williams is known for her striking serves and amazing shots, and has dominated many of her opponents on just athleticism alone. Couple that with her amazing level of talent, and you’ve got yourself the total package.

Also Williams’ longevity is remarkable given that she is playing as well as ever despite the fact that many of her long-time rivals like Justin Henin and Kim Clijsters retired, made comebacks and eventually re-retired during the course of her own career. In addition, her sister Venus has visibly declined in recent years, unlike Serena. Williams still has several quality years ahead of her. At 32, Williams could presumably play for another four to five years and continue to rack up wins. It’ll be difficult to continue her dominance as she ages, but she can continue to win some Grand Slams if she learns to rely on her talent over her athleticism.

As Serena continues to bedazzle her opponents and fans alike with her amazing talent, Steffi Graf, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova need to watch out for her as she chases down their records.