Margaret Court plays down Serena Williams return from motherhood in scathing criticism

Margaret Court, the holder of the Grand Slam record Serena Williams has been chasing since 2017, has delivered a critical review of the US tennis legend.

Earlier this week, the world saw Williams bid farewell to the sport she has dominated for so many years as she bowed out of the US Open.

Court gave a nod of respect to the 40-year-old’s legacy but ultimately picked apart her career.

“I’ve admired her as a player, but I don’t think she has ever admired me,” the Australian said in a rare interview with the Telegraph.

Court was a prominent figure in tennis during the 1960s and her talent saw her set many records, some of which she still holds to this day.

The 80-year-old boasts the most major singles titles won by any other player in the sport’s history with 24. Her overall major title tally, including doubles and mixed doubles, is also an untouched record, and one she predicts will never be matched.

With 64 titles compared to Williams’ 39, Court believes no other player will come close to knocking her off her perch.

However, 13 of Court’s titles were won before 1968, meaning Williams’ record of 23 Grand Slams is the highest of any player during the Open Era.

Regardless of this, Court has pointed out how she had a shorter career, playing seven less years than her US rival. She also reminded the world that she came back from giving birth to continue her success — something Williams was unable to do after having daughter Olympia.

“I first retired, like Ash Barty, when I was 25, thinking I would never return to tennis,” Court said. “I got married, had a baby, but then had one of my best years, winning 24 out of 25 tournaments.

“I came back after two babies! After having the first baby, I won three out of the four Slams. And