Andrea Petkovic believes Steffi Graf could defeat Serena Williams in her prime using one weapon in her arsenal

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Although Serena Williams is largely acknowledged as the greatest female tennis player of all time, retired German tennis legend Andrea Petkovic believes compatriot Steffi Graf would get the best of the American during her heyday.

Williams and Graf are deadlocked at one win apiece when facing each other on the WTA tour, with both women facing each other in 1999 when Graf was winding down her career and Williams was just stepping into the scene. Graf would complete her career with 22 Grand Slam singles titles, whereas Williams would go one step further by having 23 Major singles titles when she retired.

Graf had the means to test Williams, argues Petkovic
In a visit on the Rennae Stubbs podcast, Petkovic indicated she feels Graf could overcome Williams if both girls clashed in their primes. The former World No.9 felt that current World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka had a shot at dethroning Williams, but was positive Graf would get the job done.

“The only player I think could have beaten her (Serena Williams) at her peak, if I had to bet, I would always put my $100 on Aryna,” said Petkovic. “But I do think on a random day, Steffi Graf could have beaten her, just because of the slice, where Serena would be bothered by disruption of rhythm however, because she lost to Vinci that year.”

Petkovic was of the belief that her countryman would use Graf’s hallmark slice to trouble Williams. This slice was used with devastating effect during the German’s best years on tour, and Petkovic was hopeful that Graf would use it to the same effect. Roberta Vinci, an Italian tennis player, defeated the retired American star in the semifinals of the 2015 US Open. Vinci’s excellent use of the slice was mostly responsible for the loss.