Tennis: Grand Slam titles mean more to Serena than being No.1

Published on Monday 6 July 2009 10:09

SERENA WILLIAMS might hold three Grand Slam titles – but she hasn't left Wimbledon ranked world No.1.

Dinara Safina, who was humbled by Williams in the Australian Open final earlier this year, will continue to top the rankings when the tennis circus rolls out of town and heads to America for the hard court season.

And Williams isn't angry, she's just a little incredulous.

Asked if she should be world No.1, she replied: "I'm not super motivated. I think if you hold three Grand Slam titles maybe you should be number one, but not on the WTA Tour obviously.

"You know, my motivation is maybe just to win another Grand Slam and stay number two.

"It doesn't disappoint me, if it did, I would go crazy just thinking about it.

"It's just shocking but whatever. It is what it is. I'd rather definitely be number two and hold three Grand Slams in the past year than be number one and not have any."

Wearing a T-shirt that cheekily suggested "Are you looking at my titles?", Williams then struggled to hold back her giggles, when asked if she saw herself as world number one, adding: "I see myself as number two. That's where I am. I think Dinara did a great job to get to where she is. She won Rome and Madrid!"

Serena simply had too much for sister Venus in a disappointing women's final but the pair then combined to win the women's doubles – beating Rennae Stubbs and Samantha Stosur 7-6, 6-4.

It was the fourth time the sisters had won the title, following triumphs in 2000, 2002 and 2008.

"For me, I can go home with two titles and to win a title with your sister is a really good feeling," added Serena.

"We were really serious and we really wanted to win the title and we never underestimated anyone. We are excited to have the doubles title. We have nine now in Grand Slams, not to mention the other ones, and doubles really counts."