Serena Williams: Australian Open Champion an Greatest Ever

By: Alex LaGrone

Serena Williams, 33, became the oldest woman tennis player to win the Australian Open by defeating Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-6. Williams surpassed Li Na who won it last year at the age of 31. Serena, the #1 ranked player, has now won 19 Grand Slam singles titles which is tied for third on the career list of Grand Slam titles.

Up next for Williams is a tournament that has left a bad taste in her mouth; the BNP Paribas Open, in Indian Wells, California. In 2001, Serena won the Indian Wells title by beating Kim Clijsters, but she and her family were verbally abused with racial taunts by some members of the crowd.

After her sister Venus Williams withdrew from their semi-final with an injury, some made accusations that their father Richard was fixing games between the two. Serena was taunted throughout her championship match. After she won, she vowed to never return.

Fast forward, 14 years later, Serena stated "I will return. It is with the love of the game in mind, and a new understanding of the true meaning of forgiveness, that I will proudly return to Indian Wells in 2015.  I have thought about going back to Indian Wells many times over my career.  I said a few times that I would never play there again, and believe me, I meant it. I admit It scared me."

Williams decision was welcomed by tournament CEO Raymond Moore. "We really look forward to having her here again and watching her compete."

The tournament is scheduled to start in early March. At this point Serena has nothing to prove. The way she is playing now, it seems she is as driven as ever. She is at the top of her game and no doubt, the greatest female tennis player to ever play the game.