“I’ve criticized Pete Sampras for saying he wanted to win lots of Grand Slams”: When Serena Williams spoke on setting goals to be World No. 1 again

Serena Williams once claimed that she was drawing inspiration from Pete Sampras to reclaim the World No. 1 rank.

In 2002, Williams sat atop the WTA Rankings for the first time after winning Wimbledon, defeating her sister Venus in straight sets. However, the subsequent year saw her fall down the ladder due to surgery on the quadriceps tendon in her knee, during the US Swing in August.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion returned to the sport in 2004 after a short hiatus and concluded the year ranked No. 7. This was followed by a No. 11 finish in 2005, marking her first time finishing a season outside the Top 10 since 1998.

When starting her campaign at the 2006 Australian Open, Serena Williams was asked by reporters if she had set herself any new goals of reclaiming the World No. 1 rank.

Williams replied in affirmative, citing Pete Sampras’ example. She mentioned that although she used to criticize her compatriot for his constant ambition, she gradually came to understand his perspective.

Williams was eliminated from the Melbourne Slam that year in the third round by Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets.

Subsequently, the American took a six-month break from professional tennis due to suffering from depression. By the end of the year, she was ranked World No. 95, marking her lowest year-ending rank since 1997.