Serena Declared Greatest Of All Time By S.I.

Jon Wertheim stepped in it with a Sports Illustrated cover story declaring "She's the best ever" and annointing Serena Williams as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in Women's Tennis. Just last year, Roger Federer had been widely declared the GOAT in Men's Tennis after winning the French Open but has since fallen to a paltry #3 in the World rankings.

Wertheim's statement was controversial primarily because Serena is not even in the Top 5 of women with most Grand Slam singles titles.

He responds:

Wait—how can that be? Doesn't Williams still trail five players—Margaret Smith Court (24), Steffi Graf (22), Helen Wills Moody (19), Chris Evert (18) and Martina Navratilova (18)—in major singles titles, the usual benchmark for excellence? Yes, but Williams plays in a far more competitive and demanding era. (Plus, none of the others had to play her sister in a Grand Slam final.) She has also won 12 major women's doubles titles, two major mixed doubles titles and two Olympic women's doubles gold medals. She has earned Grand Slam titles on all surfaces. She has been winning them since she was 17.

The Busted Racquet blog took on Wertheim's claim and came up with following list:

10. Justine Henin — Seven Grand Slams, 43 titles, 82% win percentage

9. Evonne Goolagong — Seven Grand Slams, 68 titles, 81% win

8. Venus Williams — Seven Grand Slams, 43 titles, 80.5% win

7. Monica Seles — Nine Grand Slams, 53 titles, 83% win

6. Billie Jean King — 12 Grand Slams, 84 titles, 82.2% win

5. Serena Williams — 13 Grand Slams, 37 titles, 80% win

4. Margaret Court — 24 Grand Slams, 92 titles, 91% win (unofficial)

3. Chris Evert — 18 Grand Slams, 157 titles, 90% win

2. Steffi Graf — 22 Grand Slams, 107 titles, 88.7% win

1. Martina Navratilova — 18 Grand Slams, 167 titles, 86.8% win

I must say that I agree with this list, especially the Top 5. For me, Martina Navratilova will always be the best player ever, and I'm happy to see her namesake, Martina Hingis denied the Top 10.