The stage is set for Serena Williams to win her 20th Grand Slam title tomorrow when she competes in the French Open final. In doing so, she will further secure her spot as the best singles player in the history of women’s tennis.
This debate typically comes down to two names: Serena and Steffi.
Here are some highlights:
Steffi Graf –
- 22 Grand Slam titles out of 56 events
- 377 weeks at Number 1
- Golden Slam – she won all four singles Grand Slams, and the Olympic gold, in 1988.
Serena Williams –
- 19 Grand Slams (20 after Saturday morning)
- At least 2 titles and over 50 wins* at all four of the Grand Slams (*only player ever to do this)
- Hit number 1 ranking at 20 in 2001, and now is back at the top at 33, the oldest woman ever at number 1, holding the top spot 6 different times during that period – the most ever.
- Olympic Gold Medalist (crushed Sharapova 0, 1 for the Gold)
The comparison between Serena and Steffi comes down to dominance.
Steffi battled with rivals throughout her career like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Serena, on the other hand, has hardly ever had a rival. Her sister, Venus, is arguably her biggest rival ever, but she shot past her early on and hasn’t looked back.
Maria Sharapova, the current number 2, has a 2-17 record against Serena.
Tomorrow, Serena will log her 20th Grand Slam title. The rest of the WTA tour players combined have a total of 21 Grand Slam titles.
The gap between Serena and everyone else is not even close. She has dominated every other player around for more than a decade. No other player in the history of women’s tennis – not even Steffi Graf – has dominated the singles court like Serena.
