12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has declared former Women’s No. 1 Serena Williams as the greatest female athlete of all time.
Djokovic, who booked his place in the third round of the French Open after defeating Jaume Munar in straight sets on Thursday afternoon, is working hard to rediscover his best form. After making his much anticipated comeback from a six-month injury layoff in January, the Serbian endured a poor run of form, losing in the first round in Indian Wells, Miami and Barcelona and in the pre-quarterfinals in Monte Carlo and in the second round in Madrid.
However, the former World No. 1 showed positive signs with his form in Rome, where he progressed to the semifinals before he was comfortably beaten by an in-form Rafael Nadal. Serena on the other hand also made his return to competitive tennis after the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia and has struggled to make an impact on the women’s circuit. The American made a winning return to Grand Slam tennis when she advanced to the Roland Garros second round on Tuesday and Djokovic praised Serena for her comeback to the circuit.
“I love Serena,” Djokovic told reporters. “All the superlatives and beautiful words that you can think of, she deserves it.
“Especially now, after she gave birth to Olympia and after all she has achieved in sport to see her back and putting [in] hours on the court and work, again and again.”
He added: “What a woman has to go through with the pregnancy and birth and then everything after that; I’m sorry to all the guys, but it’s much more difficult for a woman.
“So that’s why it makes it even more impressive when they make a comeback and especially Serena after all she has done. We cannot forget about that.
“It’s not like she never won a slam and then now she wants to come back because she has something to achieve from that perspective.
“She has won what, 23? She’s the greatest female athlete of all time, probably, and she keeps on coming back and inspiring everyone.
“She uses tennis as a platform to do good things, and that’s why she’s back. You can see how much she loves it.”
