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Home / Sport / Tennis

Kris Shannon: In history's page Serena already has top billing

Kris Shannon
By Kris Shannon
Multimedia Journalist·Herald online·
29 Jan, 2016 07:33 PM3 mins to read

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Serena Williams of the United States plays a forehand in her semi final match against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. Photo / AP.

Serena Williams of the United States plays a forehand in her semi final match against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. Photo / AP.

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Which semifinal from this year's Australian Open will be recalled with most clarity at the end of another long year of sport? The latest epic duel between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, or Serena Williams' waltz past Agnieszka Radwanska?

Simple, right?

Another easy one: What will be remembered with the greatest reverence once the current generation hang up their racquets? The fierce rivalry between two titans of the men's game or Williams crushing all-comers at the tail-end of her career?

It's a no-brainer.

But it shouldn't be. What Williams is accomplishing is the reason we watch sports: seeing mere mortals achieve the unfathomable.

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Yet Williams' incendiary form is far from fully appreciated. The same goes for the unstoppable force of the Golden State Warriors. And, come to think of it, the All Blacks.

After all, what fun is a blow-out? Nail-biters and improbable comebacks are much more enjoyable, for the quick fix of instant gratification is preferable to the slow boil of consistent success.

Consider this, then, an ode to the juggernaut.

Williams hardly needs help to confirm her dominance and plenty have eulogised her mastery. It's difficult, though, to escape the feeling many view her one-sided results as ho-hum.

After Williams qualified for her seventh Australian Open final without dropping a set and ceded a paltry seven points in the first set of her semifinal victory, many fans will yawn and ask to be woken when Williams wins the tournament.

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Because just like last year, the American appears untouchable, as Radwanska admitted: "I don't think anyone can really play on that kind of level at all. If she's playing her game, it's different level."

That level will likely tonight produce a 22nd grand slam triumph, equalling Steffi Graf atop the list of Open-era wins.

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And there's no evidence to suggest the 34-year-old is slowing. Since the start of the 2012 season, Williams has claimed half the majors on offer.

It's almost too repetitive, which reaps two results. First, Williams will in time be remembered as perhaps the best sportswoman of all time, and second, she, like the Warriors in the NBA, will in the moment continue to be undervalued.

Golden State this week completed an incredible hat-trick. While their record of 42 victories from 46 games is unimpeachable, the NBA contains plenty of easy-beats.

But in the last fortnight, Steph Curry and Co have eviscerated the Cavaliers, the Bulls and the Spurs, a trio of teams ranked among the top six NBA title contenders. The Warriors beat each by at least 30 points.

As with Williams, the prevailing sentiment suggests we may as well crown them champions now.

While wide-open competitions are nice, they're quickly lost to history. What will be remembered in decades to come are the dynasties.

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Since we're so close to one, we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of the All Blacks' ascendancy. In Steve Hansen's tenure, replete with a 91 per cent winning record, the losses are remembered as readily as the wins. But, with the benefit of time, that run will gleam like a beacon. Just like Williams' one-woman empire.

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