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Serena Williams is simply enjoying being in the moment.
The hot favourite for this year’s Australian Open women’s title is arguably in the best form of her life, but she isn’t spending too much time considering her own opinion on the topic.
“I get asked that all the time, but I feel like I'm just in the moment right now,” a relaxed Williams said at her press conference on Saturday afternoon at Melbourne Park.
“For this moment, I'm playing well.”
For a player who has already achieved such a long list of successes, the fact Williams has hit such a rich vein of form again has the record-keepers all a-flutter.
Now 31 years of age, one would expect Williams to keep playing for some time yet, as through bouts of injury, illness and various off-court issues and interests, she is still a “fresh older player” and has most likely unwittingly prolonged her career.
As it stands, Williams has 15 Grand Slam titles to her name, including five Australian Opens, a record second only to Margaret Court’s 11 Australian titles, which included seven in a row.
Given Williams’ recent form in the majors, the quest for a calendar year Grand Slam is very much in play in 2013.
“That's an incredible goal. It hasn't been done since the '80s,” said Williams.
“I don't know if I can do it. Maybe someone else can. We'll see.”
As the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion, achieving that mark would take winning six Grand Slam titles end on end.
At present, only four women sit above her in terms of overall Grand Slam titles won. One of those is Chris Evert, who recently said that a calendar Grand Slam for Williams was “absolutely possible”.
Living in the moment probably doesn’t allow Williams to ponder who is the greatest player ever either, but Evert has also made her thoughts known on the legacy Serena will leave.
“[Serena] would still be the greatest player that ever lived even if she didn’t win four [Grand Slams] in a row, in my mind,” Evert said.
In terms of the calendar Grand Slam though, Evert suggests that despite Williams’ current dominance, the toil of winning four two-week events on different surfaces in a single year probably allows too much opportunity for a slip-up along the way.
“Do I think it will happen? I have my doubts only because she is human.”
Williams comes into Australian Open 2013 with the Brisbane title already under her belt, but doesn’t see herself as a clear favourite in Melbourne.
“I don't think like that,” she said. “I feel like I have to win seven matches. Everyone in this draw has to win seven matches. They have the same opportunity to do it as I do.”
In examining the draw, real interest arises when one looks to a potential Williams semifinal match-up against current world No.1 and reigning Australian Open champion, Victoria Azarenka.
Obviously, to do so would be to look beyond “the moment”, but if we are to indulge ourselves just for a minute, we can only imagine that Williams must take extreme confidence in the fact that Azarenka has only beaten her once in 13 attempts, that being in Miami back in 2009.
If Williams is able to move through to the final, she will also regain top spot, which will add some extra spice to a semifinal encounter should it eventuate.