World No.16 Madison Keys believes Serena Williams will equal and even break the all-time record for most grand slam titles won in the future.
The 23-year-old has lent her backing behind the former world No.1 after she reached back-to-back finals in the majors this season. At Wimbledon, Williams lost in the final to Angelique Kerber. Then at the US Open she succumbed in two sets to Japan’s Naomi Osaka during what was a controversial match that resulted in her getting three warnings and a $17,000 fine.
“I definitely think she can do it, and I definitely think it’s something that she thinks about,” Keys told AFP news earlier this week.
“I think she wants it and I think when Serena puts her mind to something, it usually happens.”
Williams returned to the WTA Tour in March after giving birth to her first child in 2017. In total, she has played in seven tournaments this season. Winning 18 out of 24 matches played. Against top 10 opposition, she produced a win-loss record of 6-4. Williams currently has 23 grand slam titles, which is one behind Margaret Court’s all-time record.
“She came back and she played three grand slams and made two finals,” Keys commented about Williams’ season. “No one is ever going to be Serena and I think she’s done a ton for the sport and has helped players like me a lot.”
Keys will be one of the players hoping to fill the void when 37-year-old Williams, who is the second oldest player in the top 100, decides to retire from the sport. A former US Open finalist, she currently has three WTA titles to her name and peaked at a high of seventh in October 2016. At present, she is the third highest ranked American woman behind Williams and Sloane Stephens.
“Obviously when she decides to stop playing it’s going to be a big loss but I think she’ll always be a part of it, and she’s always going to hold all these records and still be the greatest tennis player ever.” She said.
“So I think we’ll always have her in the sport even though she’s not playing.”
One last push in China
Playing in her final WTA tournament of 2018, Keys is seeking a strong end to the year at the Elite Trophy in Zhuhai. A round-robin event featuring 12 players. On Tuesday she started her campaign with a straight sets win over top seed Daria Kasatkina. Recording her first win over a top 10 player since Angelique Kerber at the Cincinnati Open in August.
“I think it’s nice for my game. It’s pretty fast and bounces, so it sits up a little more. So I really like playing on this court.” The world No.16 commented about the conditions at the tournament.
On Friday Keys will play her second match against China’s Qiang Wang. A player she has already defeated twice this season. Wang has reached the semi-finals or better at her past five tournaments.
“I expect the match to be completely different this time around. She’s had an incredible six weeks. I think he’s probably really high in confidence and feeling her game.” She said about the upcoming match.
Keys hasn’t won a WTA title since the 2017 Stanford Open.
