Former tennis star Margaret Court suggested that Serena Williams does not admire her.
During an interview with Britain’s Daily Telegraph, Court said, “Serena, I’ve admired her as a player.”
She added, “But I don’t think she has ever admired me.”
Court went on to tell the outlet that she had more success after having children than Williams did.
“I came back after two babies,” Court said.
She continued, “After having the first baby, I won three out of the four Slams. … Serena hasn’t won a Slam since [having a baby].”
According to Court, “A lot of the press and television today, particularly in tennis, don’t want to mention my name.”
She explained that the “honor has not been there for what I did do. In my own nation, I have been given titles, but they would still rather not mention me.”
The tennis star said that she would “love to have played in this era. I think it’s so much easier.”
Court went on, “How I would love to have taken family or friends along with me. But I couldn’t. I had to go on my own or with the national team. People didn’t see all that.”
Noting that players did not have psychologists or coaches with them, Court said, “It’s a whole different world. That’s what disappoints me — that players today don’t honor the past of the game.”
Last week, USA Today reported that it appeared Williams’ career came to an end after she lost a third-round match at the U.S. Open.
After the match, Williams delivered an emotional speech to the crowd.
“Oh my god, thank you so much. You guys were amazing today. I tried but Ajla just played a little bit better. Thank you, Daddy. I know you’re watching. Thanks, Mom. Oh my god. I just thank everyone that’s here that’s been on my side so many years, decades, oh my gosh, literally decades,” Williams said.
Watch her comments below:
A speech worth of the 🐐@serenawilliams | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/0twItGF0jq
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2022
She added, “But it all started with my parents, and they deserve everything. So I’m really grateful for them. Oh my god, these are happy tears! I guess, I don’t know. And I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus, so thank you, Venus.”