Serena reacts with 'utmost respect' to Federer's GOAT compliment

Serena Williams says she has "utmost respect" for Roger Federer - and adds that even though he says she is the greatest tennis player of all time, he has a great claim to that accolade too.

“He’s done amazing things in his career - I have the utmost respect for him," the former World No.1 told the Wall Street Journal. "He’s a wonderful athlete, a great guy. I love what he’s doing [with his foundation] in Africa too. That was really impressive to me."

The current ATP World No.2 had said that he thought Serena could well be the greatest player in history - female or male.

"It’s been fascinating to watch," he said. "She had a totally different upbringing - I came up through Switzerland with the federation, she did it with her dad and her sister. It’s an amazing story unto itself - and then she became one of the greatest, if not the greatest tennis player of all time."

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Williams, now aged 36, is currently on her way back from maternity leave after giving birth to daughter Olympia last year.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion is scheduled to compete in the main draw of the French Open and for Wimbledon.