Serena is up there with Jordan and Muhammad Ali – Roddick

Ex-professional American tennis star Andy Roddick says his compatriot and friend Serena Williams should also be involved in the conversation as the best athlete of all time of either gender. Williams won major number 23 in Australia last month, setting a new record for any tennis player in the Open era in the process.

Such an achievement deserves huge acclaim, and Roddick believes the 35-yearold should be discussed on the same level as sporting greats Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali.

Saying she’s the best woman athlete shouldn’t be taken as offensive as long as she’s in the conversation with the greatest male athletes of all time as well, Roddick said. We need to enter her into the conversation with Jordan and Ali.

I think that’s where the respect lies, and where the conversation needs to go, after the acknowledgement of what she’s done for women in sports.

Williams was famously asked for her thoughts on being considered as one of the greatest female athletes of all-time, and replied:

I prefer the word, ‘one of the greatest athletes’ of all time.

The American went back to the top of the world rankings with her win in Melbourne, where she did not lose a set – and overcame sister Venus in the final.

One more Grand Slam title would see Serena pull level with Margaret Court for the most in the history of tennis.