Serena Williams, beat World No 1 Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in an enthralling US Open final on Sunday to capture her 15th singles Grand Slam title. With this win, Serena merely underlined what she laid claim to some time ago: that she deserves a place in the pantheon of women’s tennis greats.

Sheer numbers are just one indicator of the way she has taken the women’s game and made it her own. Winning every title of significance in the book including the Olympics gold and notching up 15 Grand Slam wins is only part of Serena’s awesome story. What is equally important is the sheer domination with which she wins, simply crushing most of her opponents, through sheer physical and mental power. Also, one must not forget that in a game where speed is becoming all-important and champions getting younger than ever, Serena has defied age, to quell opponents more than 10 years her junior, with her spell binding athleticism and power. Serena’s feats have been so awe-inspiring that aficionados and followers only talk half in jest that she should play on the men’s tour.