Serena Williams’ bid to equal the all-time record for most Grand Slam titles won is looking increasingly unlikely to happen, according to Justine Henin.
Williams, who turned 40 in September, already holds the record for most major women’s titles won in the Open Era with her tally currently standing at 23. This is one behind Margaret Court’s record who played in a total of 29 Grand Slam finals between 1960-1973. However, the former world No.1 hasn’t won a major trophy since becoming a mother with her most recent triumph occurring during the 2017 Australian Open which she played whilst pregnant.
Henin, who played against Williams 14 times on the WTA Tour during her career, believes one of the reasons why her dominance in the sport has lessened is because her opponents no longer fear her. Something which was unheard of during her time as a player.
“The young players are starting to fear Serena Williams less,” Henin told Eurosport.
“We were afraid of Serena in my era. And a lot of girls continued to be afraid of her for years. Now it’s just not the case anymore and certainly she feels it.
You can feel that her attitude on court has changed. There is less self-belief, there is less confidence and potentially, we can ask, is there still the same drive, the same desire?
“And frankly, we are allowed to answer ‘no’. That does not take anything from her and she remains someone exceptional in all that she has accomplished. That will never change.”
During 2018 and 2019 Williams remained a serious contender in the majors as she reached the final of four tournaments before losing all of them in straight sets to different players. However, in her six most recent appearances in the majors she has only reached the second week on two occasions. Doing so at the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open where she was a semi-finalist.
The recent lack of silverware has coincided with numerous injury setbacks which has hampered Williams, both on and off the court. She hasn’t played a professional match since retiring hurt from the first round at Wimbledon and has already pulled out of next year’s Australian Open due to fitness concerns.
“I’m starting to have to be convinced, that the quest that she had set herself to go and win more Grand Slams, at least one Grand Slam, won’t happen. But it’s always hard to answer ‘100 per cent it’s not going to happen,’ Henin commented.
“And because all the time, I want to say that I remember Serena Williams is from my generation, my time and she’s still here.
“She gave me so much trouble that I still want to believe that Serena is capable of anything. But you have to be realistic. Maybe she’s also discovering a new life today. Life can be wonderful after tennis.”
This season Williams has only played in five tournaments with three of those being Grand Slam events. Her win-loss record for the 2021 season is 12-5 with her best result being a run to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park.
Williams is currently the second-oldest player in the top 500 on the WTA Tour after sister Venus.
