Serena Williams is the clear favourite to win the French Open and can still beat Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, says former world number one Martina Navratilova.
Williams is gunning for a third crown at Roland Garros next week and if successful, the American will move on to 20 major triumphs, four short of Court’s all-time best.
Injuries have hampered Williams’ charge in recent years but Navratilova, who sits joint fifth on the list with 18 Grand Slam wins, believes the 33-year-old still has time to write her name in the history books.
“Serena is amazing and she will get to 20 for sure,” Navratilova told the Tennis Podcast.
“It definitely gets harder when you are in your thirties but at the same time, the new generation has not quite caught up with Serena so she has a nice window there.
“There are plenty of good players but nobody has been able to really bother her or put up a solid rivalry.
“So it is possible that she will pass Margaret Court. If anybody can do it, Serena is in a great position. But it still is a tall order.”
Since crashing out to Virginie Razzano in the French Open’s opening round three years ago, Williams has claimed six Grand Slam titles, including the Australian Open earlier this year.
“She put her career into another gear three years ago after that loss to Virginie Razzano at the French Open,” Navratilova said.
“She realised that her time was running out and that if she wanted to make her mark on the sport she had better get going, and she has barely lost any matches since then.”
Maria Sharapova arrives in Paris as defending champion after Williams was beaten in straight sets by Garbine Muguruza in the second round last year.
It is the American, however, who is expected to be top seed due to her number one ranking and Navratilova is in no doubt she is still the one to beat.
“There are a few players who are more natural on clay and they will be feeling like it is their time,” Navratilova added.
“Serena is still the favourite though until somebody beats her.
“Sharapova is the defending champion but she hasn’t beaten Serena since 2004 so that rivalry isn’t happening – it seems Maria needs help from the field to win.”