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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Andre Agassi poses at the Lavazza Cafe at Grand Slam Oval during day four of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Tennis Australia)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Andre Agassi poses at the Lavazza Cafe at Grand Slam Oval during day four of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Tennis Australia)
Back in 2018, Serena Williams returned to the tennis court as a mother for the first time. Her long absence made her slip to the WTA rank of 183. However, the 23-time Grand Slam champion still got 25th seed in the Wimbledon championships that year. As per the new WTA rule, women returning after a maternity leave only have their tournament status protected – not their actual seed, and placement in a tournament.
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It became a major talking point. People also questioned if it is fair for the players to lose their ranks due to maternity leave. Former tennis star Andre Agassi also gave his reaction about the same.
Agassi reacts to Serena Williams’ ranking debate
Avoiding making any comment on the maternity leave, the eight-time Grand Slam champion stuck to the point that ranking won’t make it any different for a player in the tournament. “This is a decision made with full respect to a lot of considerations. One thing I can say on her behalf, that she may hopefully agree with. She’s here to win. What she’s seeded is not going to determine her winning this event,” Agassi said.
He further added, “Will you get an easier draw? Maybe one or two rounds, but I got news for ya. The rest of the field is more worried about her being about not seeded than she is.”
Later, Serena indeed had a good tournament as she made it to the final. However, the 23-time Grand Slam champion went down in straight sets to Angelique Kerber.
Serena has no Grand Slam titles as a mother
Serena Williams showed her grit and determination with an extraordinary performance in the Australian Open 2017. The former world number one defeated her sister Venus Williams in the final while she was pregnant. This had her fans assured that the legend will definitely make a strong comeback after childbirth. However, Serena never won another Grand Slam title after that.
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Tennis – U.S. Open – Flushing Meadows, New York, United States – September 2, 2022 Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her third round match against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
The American still had it in her when she made a comeback in 2018. She reached the final of the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open but failed to cross the last hurdle. She kept performing well but failed in the crucial matches.
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The 41-year-old ended her career this year after a third-round exit from the US Open. What is your favorite Serena Williams memory? Let us know in the comments.
