Sanchez Vicario names Serena as greatest ever

In an interview with the International Business Times, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario makes some intriguing statements.

First, she notes that Serena Williams would be her pick as the GOAT–the greatest of all time in the sport. This line of thinking is, these days, a lot less hotly contested than it used to be since Williams broke Steffi Graf's Open-era record at the Australian Open, defeating sister Venus in the final and not surrendering a set over seven matches.

"She has dominated the tennis arena in the past decade or so," Sanchez Vicario said of Serena Williams. "Whenever Serena would play, she was always the favorite. So I think I can call her the greatest ever woman player."

Interestingly, the Spaniard actually posted a 4-3 record head-to-head in her career against Williams. (She finished her playing days 3-6 against Venus Williams.)

The second item that Sanchez Vicario speaks to involves who she finds to have been her toughest competition during her active WTA days. Her answer: Monica Seles.

"I have faced a lot of fierce competitors during my playing career and all of them have been tough.," Sanchez Vicario tells IBT. "But I think Monica Seles was someone who always gave me a tough match. She was also around the same age as me, so it was challenging. I always had to be at my best to beat her, and she would also never give up even if I was about to win the match. So I think I can call her the best female player I've played against."

High praise from one rival to the next, especially in that era also including Graf herself. Sanchez Vicario retired from the WTA for good in 2004 with an 8-28 record against Graf, and a 3-20 mark versus Seles.

In their final meeting, Sanchez Vicario edged Seles by a 7-6, 0-6, 6-2 count in the 1998 French Open final, which took place soon after Seles' beloved father and coach, Karolj, had died from cancer.

In the wide-ranging interview, Sanchez Vicario also speaks to the current state of pro tennis among Indian players and much more.

Her role as a fixture in WTA events continues, especially timed to the clay-court swing she so cherished during her 1990s hey day–hair scrunchies, ball holsters and all.

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.