“Other Than Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova…”: Former French Open Champion Reveals Young Superstars of Tennis

Tennis is surely witnessing a phase where a new generation is trying to take over the current and dominant generation. Although this transition is less visible in men’s tennis, it has become the talking point in women’s tennis. The new players, led by Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek, are showing that they are no less competent than the senior players like Serena Williams.

In a recent interview, former Croatian tennis player and Grand Slam champion Iva Majoli expressed her opinions on this new generation. She was happy that the upcoming wave of players is trying hard to get on the center stage. She believes we were missing such competition earlier due to the dominance of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

“Other than Serena, maybe, and Maria, we’ve missed those (young generation) superstars. So, I’m happy that with Naomi Osaka and a few other girls you know, this is coming back because tennis needs that. We need some new young superstars coming up. And, I think in this generation, we do have that with Coco Gauff. Everybody’s talking about her,” said a cheerful Majoli.

Majoli won her first and only Grand Slam title at the age of 20. Therefore, she encouraged the new generation to grab big opportunities and perform at bigger levels.

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“I think now generations play longer”- Iva Majoli

“I think we were just a different generation. It was a young generation and there were lots of superstars…Yes in our generation, 16-17 was normal. I think now generations play longer which is a good thing… maybe this is even better because the girls are able to mature a little bit and play longer.

“I think most of us, between 26 and 30, we retired, which now I think they keep playing till mid-thirties,” added the 43-year-old with a smile.

Majoli definitely pointed out that due to more time, players like Naomi Osaka have more opportunities to win titles. The Japanese player already has three Grand Slam titles at the age of 23. She plans to return to court at the Australian Open 2021 and will be looking to add another title to her name there.

Serena Williams too will be making a comeback at the Australian Open 2021. It will be an intriguing battle between two generations in Melbourne.

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