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by Our Sports Desk
Martina Navratilova backed yesterday Serena Williams to match Steffi Graf’s Open era record of 22 grand slam singles titles.
Williams’s 6-3 6-3 victory over Caroline Wozniacki in the US Open final on Sunday took her level with Navratilova and Chris Evert on 18.
The figure had been a target for the US tennis star and she admitted it had weighed on her mind as she suffered early exits at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
Navratilova and Evert joined Williams on court at Flushing Meadows to present her with a commemorative bracelet marking the occasion.
“We all thought it was a matter of when, not if, after she won here last year,” said Navratilova.
“It took her the full year but I think now she doesn’t have to talk about it, she doesn’t have to think about it and she can just think about 22. That’s what she’s gunning for next.
“If anyone can get there she can. She’s pretty young in tennis terms in that she hasn’t played as many matches as I had at this stage of my life.
“Same with Chris or Roger Federer. We had hundreds more matches under our belts. She’s pretty young and fresh, and if she stays motivated and healthy the sky’s the limit.”
Williams turns 33 later this month and only Navratilova has won a women’s slam singles title at an older age in the Open era.
But Williams is unquestionably the number one player in the world and shows no sign of slowing.
Navratilova was happy to be joined in the record books and said: “She plays such amazing tennis.
“She didn’t lose more than three games in a set. That’s total domination, that’s outstanding, no matter what slam it is. She’s cemented her number one ranking.
“She’s physically so strong. It’s almost not a fair fight. She’s like a heavyweight going against a middleweight out there. So if she hits the ball at 80 per cent and anybody else hits the ball at 80 per cent, her ball is harder.
“Everybody else is feeling they have to play above their level and all she needs to do is stay in her comfort zone and it’s good enough against anybody.”
