24-time Grand Slam singles champion Margaret Court has hit out at American great Serena Williams, claiming that the 23-time Major winner did not praise her like she did.
The legendary Australian court further said that Williams did not mention her rival Ajla Tomljanovic in her speech after losing in the third round of the 2022 US Open. Williams, who is chasing her record-equalling 24th major trophy, recently announced that the countdown has begun for her, with US Open organizers attending each of her matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium in her career. celebrated.
“Serena, I admire her as a player,” Court told the Daily Telegraph. “But I don’t think he ever admired me.”
Court, 80, further said that his achievements could not be compared to Williams as the latter played “seven years more” than him. Court highlighted that she won three out of four Majors after having a child, unlike Williams, who hasn’t won one since having a daughter in September 2017.
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“I finished in my early 30s. People forget that I took two years off. I retired for the first time … when I was 25, thinking I would never return to tennis. My Married, I had a child, but then I had one of my best years, winning 24 tournaments out of 25.
“I came back after having two kids. Having my first child, I won three out of four Slams. And Serena hasn’t won a Slam since. I would love to play at this age. I think it’s a lot easier.” .
“How would I love to take family or friends with me. But I couldn’t. I had to go myself or with the national team. People don’t see it all. We didn’t have psychologists or coaches with us. That’s all. It’s a different world in a way. That’s what frustrates me that players today don’t respect the game’s past.”
Following her exit from the 2022 US Open, Williams paid tribute to her parents, sister Venus and their loved ones. He even teased his return to the Australian Open in a post-match press conference.
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The Australian Court said, “I thought it was bad that Williams didn’t mention her opponent much when she spoke. We were taught to respect our opponent. We respect each other.”
The court also lamented that his name was not mentioned much in spite of his record breaking achievements.
“Today a lot of the press and television, especially in tennis, don’t want to mention my name. There hasn’t been respect for what I did. In my own country, I’ve been given titles, but they still would rather Don’t mention me,” the court said.
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