Serena Williams’s post-meltdown history lesson

Serena Williams has one more mountain to climb to equal Margaret Court’s record.

Serena Williams in her photo shoot for Harper’s Bazaar magazine. Picture: Harper’s Bazaar

Serena Williams has one more mountain to climb.

Should the 37-year-old clinch the Wimbledon title this week — and she is strongly favoured to do so — the American will equal Margaret Court’s longstanding record of 24 grand slam singles titles, and rightfully lay claim to being the sport’s greatest player.

While the bare statistics tell the tale of her dominance, Williams’ chequered on-court behaviour will form part of her legacy. Yesterday, US fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar published an article written by Williams herself, in which she revisits her infamous meltdown during last September’s US Open final loss to Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

Margaret Court. Picture: Getty Images

Williams hurled abuse at Portuguese umpire Carlos Ramos, branding him a “liar”, a “thief” and “sexist” after he penalised her a point and then a game during the second set.

It was an ugly episode, and Williams was eviscerated for hijacking what should have been a glorious occasion for Osaka.

In the Harper’s Bazaar piece, Williams recounts that the aftermath of the US Open was so challenging for her that she was forced to seek help from a therapist.

“I was searching for answers … finally I realised that there was only one way for me to move forward,” Williams wrote. “It was time for me to apologise to the person who deserved it the most.”

Her apology to Osaka was unreserved, but it seems she blames the world’s media, rather than herself, for the fallout. “I thought I was doing the right thing in sticking up for myself. But I had no idea the media would pit us against each other,” Williams wrote.

“I would love the chance to live that moment again.”