Serena Williams targets Steffi Graf’s grand slam titles record

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  • On top of the world: Serena Williams claimed her 19th grand slam title with a win over Maria Sharapova in the final of the Australian Open.

    Serena Williams is trying to find the balance between chasing history and celebrating what she has already achieved, but the American admits she is ready to go for Steffi Graf's record 22 grand slam titles.

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    Williams added a 19th major trophy to her illustrious resume by defeating Maria Sharapova in straight sets on Saturday and is now just three slams shy of the German's Open Era record tally.

    While she says she doesn't keep track of all her records — many of which she is unaware of holding – Williams knows how close she is to proving that she is the greatest female tennis player of all-time.

    "It is definitely something that motivates me. I never thought I would be sitting and having this discussion," Williams said of the prospect of achieving ultimate greatness. "

    "I just had a dream, a racquet and two wonderful parents. A support system that really helped me through it. 

    "A part of me feels like 'wow, I have a chance to really create history' and a part of me feels like 'wow, I've done so much, this is really amazing what I've been able to do and inspire other people and help other people'. So I just try to look at both sides of it."

    On Graf's record she added: "I definitely think I'm ready for it. I'm not afraid of going for it.

    "But at the same time there's a lot of people that want to start winning slams, that want to start doing well, want to start being champions and want to become the greatest so I have to enjoy this while I can."

    Williams, who has been ranked No.1 in the world for the last 102 weeks, is used to being everyone's target.

    But while many dream of emulating her, in reality she is way ahead of the rest of the pack. In terms of grand slam wins, the closest one to her tally of 19 majors is her sister Venus, who boasts seven.

    Someone like Roger Federer holds the record on the men's tour with 17 slams, but the Swiss has Rafael Nadal breathing down his neck with a close 14.

    Serena doesn't have that. She must feel like she's out on her owm. 

    "I don't feel I'm in a league of my owm. I feel like I'm just normal like everyone else," she added.

    "I don't have that person breathing at the back of my neck. But I did have someone trying to take over the No.1 position and I think that obviously subconsciously motivated me to want to die before losing, I think.

    "I said at the beginning of the week 'I think I want this championship more than anyone else here' and I think I was able to prove that."

    Serena Williams is not done yet, and hopes to target more success.

    One way Serena really sets herself apart from her peers is with her serve. It is a shot that is unrivalled in the women's game and one that has saved her time and time again throughout the tournament. She finished her fortnight with 88 aces. The next player behind her was Madison Keys with 42.

    "It's definitely much faster. There's a few, just a very limited amount of players that serve in that speed range as she does consistently," said Sharapova.

    Serena recalls a time when she and Venus were young and had a shopping cart full of balls which they had to serve under the watchful eye of their father Richard.

    "We did a lot of serving. I don't know if a lot of girls at that time would focus so much on the serve. My dad was really innovative with everything he taught. That was another great idea," said Serena.

    Looking ahead, Serena said she is already thinking about the French Open as her next goal.

    "When I think about Paris, I don't think about 20. I just think about winning there. It's the one slam I don't have more than two titles on," she said.

    She will be playing less tournaments this year after contesting 60 matches in 2014. But it is not a sign of her slowing down as she assures retirement is still far away.

    "I see myself at a beach or on a boat. But right now it seems a little far away," she says.

    Still she is aware that her career, which started in the mid-1990s has now spanned three decades.

    Both Serena and Venus have defied all odds, and at 33 and 34, remain the top-two ranked American players — the younger Williams at No.1 and the older sister at No.11.

     "We actually joke with each other. We pass people that are in Legends (tournament) and we'll be like 'oh, I played them'. Which is really outrageous if you think about it," laughed Serena.

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