WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- US women's tennis legend Chris Evert said on Wednesday that it's amazing Serena Williams makes smooth transition from mother to tennis player and she feels happy that Serena breaks record.
Should Williams win the upcoming US Open 2018, she would both equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slams, and become the first woman in the Open Era to win the New York major seven times, breaking her tie with Evert on six titles.
"I wouldn't feel any sadness if Serena were to win a seventh US Open. At my age, I think that would be pretty narcissistic. Records are meant to be broken. I broke some and people are going to break mine. I would be very happy for Serena to break that record, especially as she is making a comeback after having a child," said Evert.
"It's not easy for Serena as a mother. I couldn't have played professional tennis with a child. I just can't imagine it. Once I had my first child, I didn't want to leave its side. So I admire her for trying to be really successful at both - as a tennis player and a mother. It's difficult. As a father, you don't really know how difficult it is for a mother," said Evert.
"I don't think Serena thought it would be as tough as it is, once all the emotions start. It's not the physical side. After having my first child, I was in better shape than when I was on the tour. I got my body back. But the emotional tug that you feel, you can't always transition from being soft and warm and cuddly and loving to being a fierce competitor on the court. That transition is very difficult.
"Other working mothers can go into the office, or go to court, or work as a nurse, or do whatever, and you can still have that same kind of attitude. But, with Serena, being the fierce competitor and fighter that she is, it's like night and day the difference between when she's with her child and when she's on the court. It's like she has two different personalities, and two different personalities that are almost polar opposites."
