Serena Williams has inspired many players and indeed fans over the years thanks to her tremendous career.
Williams retired in 2022 with 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, having climbed as high as number one in the world rankings.
The American icon won 73 WTA titles overall, with 23 doubles titles won too, having also reached world number one in that format.
A huge seven titles were clinched at the Australian Open, her joint-most successful Grand Slam alongside Wimbledon.
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Serena Williams named Lindsay Davenport as her ‘ultimate role model’
But at the 2008 event she was tasked with analysing other icons, having been asked for her thoughts on the comeback of her fellow American Lindsay Davenport after she had a child.
Williams said: “I mean, I’m speechless because she looks better than me and she’s seven months out of having a baby.
“I’m convinced if I had a baby, seven months later I’d probably still be in the hospital trying to get over the pain.
“I mean, she is my ultimate role model. I mean, I’m really so motivated. Like she’s just taken it to a new level. Honestly, I’m really speechless.”
Serena Williams thought Venus Williams was her biggest concern at the 2008 Australian Open
Davenport had indeed enjoyed a fantastic comeback by that stage, although she wasn’t exactly given the kindest of draws at the 2008 Australian Open.
After overcoming Sara Errani, the American was beaten by Maria Sharapova, who would go on to lift the trophy.
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Sharapova also knocked top seed Justine Henin out in the quarterfinals, with Williams having been asked earlier in the event if she thought the Belgian was her biggest concern for the title.
She said: “I mean, my biggest concern is who I practice with every day: Venus [Williams]. She’s playing unbelievable. She gets every ball back.
“I think Justine is a big concern, as well. But I don’t necessarily think about my opponents like that, who I have to be concerned about.
“I really just focus on what I need to do and what I need to do right. And if I can do it right, then I’ll have positive results.”
Like Henin, Serena and Venus both fell at the quarterfinal stage, losing to Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic respectively.
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