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Serena Williams ‘shouldn’t have to hit another ball at 23 Grand Slams’, claims longtime agent


Jill Smoller, longtime agent of Serena Williams believes the 40-year-old shouldn’t have to hit another ball after everything she has achieved in the sport, including winning 23 Major titles. 

Smoller questioned why people are putting pressure on the American to win a 24th Grand Slam, which would put her level with Margaret Court who currently holds the record for winning the most Major titles.

“At 23 or 20 Slams, she shouldn’t have to hit another ball for us to say what she’s done is historic,” Smoller said. “Yes, there’s that 24, but the times were so different back then. How do you compare 23 Grand Slams in this day and age to a record set 100 years ago when the tennis was so different?”

“She doesn’t have to hit another ball to have her greatness set in stone,” Smoller added. “I do know there’s still some stuff undone and she likes to be able to control her narrative and legacy.”

Smoller continued to say Williams consistently motivates herself and drives for more success, before highlighting that she has overcame lots of adversity in her career and battled through it all to succeed.

“She has a demand for excellence,” Smoller continued. “She wants to be able to do everything on her own terms and be in control of her narrative. What’s kept her motivated each time is that she didn’t feel like she was done.”

“You put an obstacle in front of her and I’ll give you a person who will put their head down and will stop at nothing to accomplish what they have set in front of her.”

Williams is currently recovering from a torn hamstring, and is expected to return in time for Australian Open, where she will likely be unseeded.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.