Home WebMail Friday, November 1, 2024, 08:31 AM | Calgary | -4.8°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2015-09-09T22:02:17Z | Updated: 2015-09-10T14:01:08Z

Real recognize real.

Billie Jean King demonstrated the tennis version of "it takes one to know one" on Wednesday while speaking to HuffPost Live's Zerlina Maxwell. When asked whether she thinks Serena Williams is the best tennis player ever, the 12-time Grand Slam winner and Women's Tennis Association founder answered unambiguously: "Yes. I think we all do. I think every generation gets better."

King took the time to note the greatness of past players, like Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf, but didn't budge from her belief that none have been better than Williams.

Williams is currently chasing Graf's legacy in a number of ways. Should she win the U.S. Open title on Saturday, Williams will tie Graf for the second most Grand Slam titles in women's history, at 22. It would also give her a true calendar year Grand Slam -- a feat that hasn't been accomplished by a man or woman since Graf did it in 1988.

With or without another U.S. Open title on Saturday, Williams is, and will remain for some time, the G.O.A.T. of tennis.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.

Support HuffPost

Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live's new morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

Also on HuffPost: