Brad Gilbert has picked Serena Williams as the one he believes is the greatest player in tennis history. Williams is a 39-time Grand Slam champion, having won 23 Grand Slams in singles, 14 in doubles and 2 in mixed doubles.
Also, Williams has brought the United States four Olympic gold medals. Gilbert’s top-5 all-time also included Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Margaret Court. “Serena definitely the GOAT, 39 slams and 4 gold medal.
The 14-0 in doubles finals beyond amazing, Graf was truly incredible 1988 golden slam year I put her #2, Martina #3, #4 Chris Evert, #5 Court for top 5 all-time Open Era,” Gilbert tweeted.
Serena definitely the 🐐 39 slams and 4 gold 🏅 the 14-0 in doubles Finals beyond amazing, Graf was truly incredible 1988 golden slam year I put her #2 Martina #3 #4 Chris E #5 Court for top 5 alltime open era https://t.co/rKuPeqZANV — Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) August 10, 2022
Gilbert picks Williams as the GOAT
This week, WIlliams revealed her plans to retire at this year’s US Open.
Williams was out for a year before returning to action at Wimbledon. Now, she is set to say goodbye to tennis in front of her home fans. Williams has been on 23 Grand Slams since 2017 and she will likely finish her career without tying Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles in singles.
“Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year,” Williams wrote for Vogue. “And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try. And the lead-up tournaments will be fun.”
Williams will soon be 41 but announcing retirement from professional tennis was still the hardest thing ever for her. “There is no happiness in this topic for me. I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain.
It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads. I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not. I’m torn: I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next,” Williams admitted.
