Many female players can replace Serena as World No 1, says Navratilova

Tennis legend Martina believes many players have the potential to replace the American for the top spot, but feels it will be difficult while Williams is still playing

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who recently joined the coaching team of World No 8 Agnieszka Radwanska, believes many female players have the potential to dethrone Serena Williams as World No 1 but adds that Serena "will have to quit first to give somebody else a chance".


Martina Navratilova 

"Replace Serena as No 1, who knows? There are plenty of players that have the possibility and the capability but who can rise to the occasion? I mean, anybody can be No 1 in the world… but you're talking about pretty big shoes to fill. So who can get to No 1?

It would be interesting if someone could do it while Serena's still playing, but she has to quit first to give somebody else a chance," Navratilova, who is a Laureus World Sports Academy Member, said about the American tennis ace who is in contention for her third Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award this year (she won in 2003 and 2010).

 Serena Williams celebrates her win over fellow American Sloane Stephens during the Indian Wells Open yesterday. Pics/Getty Images,AFP

Navratilova, who has 59 Grand Slam titles (18 singles, 31 doubles titles and 10 mixed doubles) to her name, also said she would relish the opportunity to face-off against Serena.

She even has a game strategy outlined to tackle the reigning World No 1, who overtook the Czech's 18 Grand Slam titles by winning the Australian Open earlier this year.

"I think I would play my game, which is come to the net, most of all, try to mix it up with uneven rhythm, keep the ball low, hit a lot of slices and run her on the diagonal as much as possible. She's such a big first striker of the ball, so you need to neutralise that. Get her on the run and keep her out of rhythm. Don't give her time to hit the ball," Navratilova added.

It remains to be seen whether the Czech tennis legend has passed on these tips to her understudy Radwanska and if she has, whether she can actually dethrone Serena.

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