Serena Williams Admits She is ‘Still Playing’ to Break Margaret Court’s Grand Slam Record

Twenty three-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has revealed that her quest for a 24th Grand Slam title keeps her going even at 39.

The seemingly elusive 24th Major crown will tie her with the legendary Margaret Court for the most number of Grand Slam titles by a male or female player.

Serena Williams has an eye on Margaret Court 24 Slam titles

The Australian tennis stalwart has held the record since 1973.

Giving an insight into what makes her compete for titles at an age when most players consider retirement or are already retired, Serena said the urge to equal Court’s incredible haul of Grand Slam titles is what makes her hit practice courts and sweat it out in training.

In an interview to American business magazine Fast Company, Serena said the desire to equal Court’s feat and possibly overtake her is “quite frankly the only reason I’m still playing”.

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Serena’s wait for a 24th Grand Slam trophy has been an agonizing one, as she has gone three years without winning a Major title.

Serena’s last Slam glory came at 2017 Australian Open

Her last brush with Grand Slam glory came at the Australian Open in 2017 when she took home her 23rd title, beating sister Venus Williams in the final.

The title win took her past Steffi Graf’s haul of 22 Major trophies.

However, despite failing to add to her Grand Slam haul over the last three years, Serena hasn’t lost sight of her career goal. If anything, it has only made her more determined to gun for her 24th.

Even at 39, Serena showing hunger of a rookie

Always a crowd favorite at her home Grand Slam, the American made the last-four stage at the Flushing Meadows this year.

While she eventually lost her semifinal tie to Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, the passage to the last-four gave her enough belief to return to the US Open next season.

Appearing recently on a talk show hosted by singer Kelly Preston, Serena said she still hasn’t reached the stage in her career where she thinks she could accomplish anything.

If anything, it showed her hunger for titles as well as drive to work on her fitness and give off her very best every time she steps on court.