Serena Williams Takes Game and Legacy to Another Level with 2014 US Open Title

The number 18 has never looked so good.

On Sunday in front of a packed house in Arthur Ashe Stadium, 32-year-old Serena Williams defeated her good friend, No. 10 Caroline Wozniacki, 6-3, 6-3, to win her sixth U.S. Open title and 18th career major. That accomplishment ties her with Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert at second on the all-time list, trailing only Steffi Graf's 22 in the Open Era.

The world No. 1 cried as she accepted her third straight U.S. Open trophy, letting down the tough facade that we've come to expect throughout the years. "It was a really wonderful feeling," she said in her on-court interview. "It was a wonderful finish, I couldn't have thought of it any other way."

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Last year, when Serena won her 17th Slam here at the U.S. Open, taking out Victoria Azarenka in three sets for the second year in a row, most thought that her 18th title was a given.

However, there were times during 2014 when that did not seem to be the case. Plagued by nerves and on-point opponents, Serena failed to make it past the fourth round of any of the other three majors this year. After her disturbing display on court in a Wimbledon doubles match with her sister, many publicly questioned whether Serena's physical or emotional health would allow her to continue fighting for majors.

But this summer on the hard courts, Serena played three tournaments back-to-back, winning two of them, and battled her way back into shape and form. 

At this U.S. Open, she was her usual dominant self. Not only did she not drop a set, but she didn't even lose more than three games in a single set throughout the tournament. In all seven of her matches combined, she hit 35 aces and 158 winners. In her final two matches, the semifinal against Ekaterina Makarova and the final against Wozniacki, she was ruthless, winning 77 percent of her first-serve points and leaving her formidable opponents helpless. Fifteen years after her first major title here at the U.S. Open, she looked better than ever.

Christine Brennan of USA Today put Serena's dominance into context before the final:

"

Williams has been at or near the top of her sport longer than almost any other athlete, male or female, has ever been at or near the top of his or hers. She has earned more prize money—over $56 million—than any female athlete, ever. She has been ranked No. 1 on six separate occasions, including now. She is the most recent player, man or woman, to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously (she did it in 2002–03).

And this sport that she's dominating? It's the most competitive sport women play, with stellar athletes coming out of the woodwork all over the globe, something that just doesn't happen (at least not yet) in most women's sports.

"

With this win, Serena proved that she's not done dominating yet.

It was clear how much No. 18 meant to her as she lay flat on her back after converting match point and let her emotions run free. She confirmed as much in her post-match interview with Mary-Jo Fernandez. "There was so much on the line," she said. "I joined Chrissie and Martina. I never thought you'd hear my name with those legends." 

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This was revealing, because before and during the tournament, she attempted to downplay the significance of the number. "[Eighteen] means a lot. It means legal to do some things. It also means legendary. Legal and legendary. Nice age," she joked with the press earlier in the week, via USOpen.org. "I'm definitely legal. Legendary? I don't know. I'm just Serena."

But, of course, she's far more than "just Serena." In fact, even though she's still tied with Evert and Navratilova, her powerful and aggressive hitting combined with her incredible movement and hustle on the court put her firmly in the conversation as one of the best players of all time.

It also helps that Serena is playing during a time when women's tennis has much more depth and quality competition than existed during the 1970s and 1980s. There are so many more dangerous players than there were when Evert and Navratilova were in their prime, and yet Serena still reigns supreme.

"It's pretty hard to argue that, when she's playing the way she's capable of playing, she's the best female player of all time," John McEnroe said on the CBS broadcast. Mary Carillo, however, did have a counterargument:

Speaking of Graf, her 22 Slams in singles are the only things right now that stand between Serena and undisputed GOAT status. Serena is almost 33 years old, so her days are numbered, but if she can play her best for the next couple of years, she could chase down that number.

As Simon Briggs of The Telegraph reports, the legendary Billie Jean King thinks it's a possibility, too:

"

I can imagine her [reaching Graf's 22]. I told her years ago that I was only on 12. I said 'If you don’t do a lot better than 12 I will be upset with you because you could be the best ever.'

How long can she go on for? It’s down to whether she wants to pay the price or not. I played until 40. She hasn’t had major operations which is what I look at. She is a phenomenal athlete. She gets a lot of free points on her serve and that’s a major factor.

"

Speaking from the CBS booth, Carillo agreed with King's assessment. "Her serve distinguishes her from everyone," she said. "I think she will have a much better Grand Slam season next year. She can relax." 

Indeed, Serena has repeatedly said this summer that next year she and her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, will be more focused on the Slams in 2015. Her concentration will be less on the tour events, and more on chasing down Graf. Time is running out, and she wants to make the most of every single opportunity.

Serena joined the 18 club on Sunday at the U.S. Open, and it was an undeniably incredible moment in tennis history. However, it's doubtful that she'll stay a member of that club much longer.