Wimbledon 2023 is underway with one notable absentee from the women’s draw.
Serena Williams said last year that she was “evolving away from tennis” and, while this does not necessarily mean we’ve seen the last of her on a court professionally, the smart money would be on an era-defining run of Grand Slam triumphs stopping at 23.
Since her most recent success at the 2017 Australian Open, Williams has contested 13 Grand Slam events and four finals in search of a 24th title to draw level with Margaret Court at the top of the all-time standings.
While it once felt inevitable that Williams would surpass Court, the time might now have passed for a 41-year-old.
Nevertheless, Williams’ phenomenal achievements place her among the very best to have ever picked up a racquet. Here, we have look at where she ranks among the greatest women’s tennis players in history.
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6. Billie Jean King
King was a dominant force at Wimbledon, winning six of her 12 slam singles crowns at SW19 between 1966 and 1975. She beat fellow great Evonne Goolagong in straight sets at the 1972 French Open to complete the career Grand Slam and went on to claim Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year, having…
