Cape Town - After
watching Serena Williams win this past weekend's Wimbledon singles
title to equal Steffi Graf’s 22 Grand Slam titles, former world No 1 Billie Jean King says the American could be the 'greatest of all
time'.
Top seed Williams defeated German fourth seed Angelique Kerber in straight sets on Saturday to claim her seventh SW19 singles title.
In total grand slam singles titles, Serena is now only two away from equalling the all-time record held by Australia's Margaret Court, who won 24 slams.
In an interview with Tennis World after watching Williams on Saturday, King, who has won 12 grand slam singles titles including six Wimbledon singles crowns, said what made Serena great was that she hates losing. “Didn't Stefanie Graf win seven? And she also holds 22 so she's right in line with Stefanie. Margaret's got 24," said King."So if she can keep her motivation and stay healthy maybe she'll be our greatest ever.
"I think she should be, I think she is, but she still has to prove it. I think she should go on to win more. I always talk about how the head, the heart and the guts have to be together to make greatness and that's what Serena has.
"You can find lots of terrific physical athletes - you can find tons - but if they don't have it emotionally and mentally they're not going to make it.
"She hates losing and I love that fact: that's what makes her so great."