Serena Williams has lost her “intimidation factor” claims former World Number one

Serena Williams doesn’t intimidate players like she used to, making her a much lesser force than she once was according to Mats Wilander.

The former Grand Slam champion made the claims to Eurosport saying “Her intimidation factor is slowly disappearing, compared to the youngest ones.

“She has not been consistent in the last four or five years on the regular tour and has not played enough tournaments and won enough victories.”

Serena has not won a Grand Slam title since returning to the game in 2018 after becoming a mother, despite reaching three major finals.

Williams, who has won a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles, has also played a significantly reduced schedule on the WTA Tour in recent months.

And that, according to Eurosport analyst Wilander, has cost her the old edge that gave her an advantage over opponents before she even stepped out onto court.

“The dressing room probably thinks that there is a small chance that they can win because the consistency – both physical and in their tennis – has not been there,” Wilander added.

“The intimidation factor is not as strong with Serena, as it is with someone like Roger [Federer] or Rafa [Nadal].”

Williams recently retired hurt in the final of the Rogers Cup in Toronto, but she is scheduled to play the US Open, where she finished runner-up last year to Naomi Osaka.

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