Wimbledon 2015: 'Obsessed' Serena Williams determined to make history after sixth final victory completes the 'Serena Slam'

Williams claimed her sixth Wimbledon title and former pro Andy Roddick believes she has grown obsessed with being the best there is

Agency
Saturday 11 July 2015 17:35 BST
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Serena Williams lifts the Wimbledon trophy after her victory over Garbine Muguruza
Serena Williams lifts the Wimbledon trophy after her victory over Garbine Muguruza (Getty Images)

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Andy Roddick believes Serena Williams has become "obsessed" with becoming the most decorated player in the history of women's tennis.

Williams had her fellow American tennis superstars reaching for superlatives after racking up a 21st grand slam title, with Roddick, John McEnroe and Lindsay Davenport leading the acclaim for the 33-year-old Wimbledon champion.

A sixth title at Wimbledon lifted Williams to within one slam of matching Steffi Graf's career haul, and three behind Margaret Court, with every possibility she will finish her career at the top of the list. It also gave her a 'Serena Slam' for the second time, with Williams holding all four majors at the same time. Her next objective is winning the US Open in September to complete a rare calendar Grand Slam.

"I've known Serena since we were eight years old," former US Open winner Roddick said.

"I think her physical dominance was one thing you could point to for the first 10 years of her career.

"She's obsessed right now, whether it's the Serena Slam, whether it's the calendar Grand Slam.

Muguruza and Williams embrace after their Wimbledon final
Muguruza and Williams embrace after their Wimbledon final (Getty Images)

"The history of tying Martina (Navratilova) and Chrissie (Evert) last year was making her a little nervous, but she is literally playing against history and I've never seen her as focused as she's been the last couple of years.

"It's been an amazing thing to see.

"She cares more now than she ever has in her career."

Roddick added: "On top of being just the greatest physical specimen in the women's game, she's thinking her way through matches now as well which is scary."

McEnroe told BBC One he expects Williams to play on for as long as her body allows.

"It comes down to her health. When you can play as well now as you did before, arguably better, it's pretty hard to stop," said the three-time Wimbledon champion.

Davenport is a former rival of the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus.

Serena Williams with the Wimbledon title
Serena Williams with the Wimbledon title (Getty Images)

Speaking after Serena beat Garbine Muguruza 6-4 6-4 to land her sixth Wimbledon title, Davenport called her "the ultimate sportswoman out there".

And like McEnroe she cannot see Serena walking away from tennis any time soon.

"I think she's having too much fun winning. She doesn't have a challenger," Davenport said.

And any suggestion that Venus, with seven grand slams including five at Wimbledon, might be at all jealous were quashed by Davenport.

The 1999 Wimbledon women's champion added: "I think she let go, if there were any feelings, a long time ago and accepted the greatness of her sister."

PA

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