One premise of greatness is that it arrives fully equipped. Often, greatness surfaces quickly. Consider that Serena Williams won her first singles major at 17, Rafael Nadal at 19. Players dream to accomplish what these two did while still teenagers. That they’ve collectively won 43 majors—in their teens, 20s and 30s—vividly demonstrates how proficient each was right from the start of a pair of brilliant careers.

Yet the very nature of competition demands evolution. The men and women seeking to challenge those at the top must get better, be it the improvement of a faulty technique, an upgraded strength, a new set of tactics, fitness, nutrition, psychology and so on. The hopefuls of 2021 are likely stronger and faster than their counterparts from 1999 and 2005 (the years Williams and Nadal respectively won their first majors).

What about the greats themselves? Certainly, they impose. But they too must adjust. Four years ago, Roger Federer arrived in Melbourne with a dynamic topspin backhand. Over the course of Nadal’s career, he has added such tools as a one-handed slice backhand and excellent volleys. Novak Djokovic is constantly refining his serve. After Martina Navratilova won two Wimbledon singles titles as an exemplary net-rusher, she revamped her forehand volley.

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Champions arrive, then they improve: competition demands evolution

Champions arrive, then they improve: competition demands evolution

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This year’s award for “Most Improved” goes to Serena Williams. The honor was earned in a category Williams reflected on humorously: movement. Following her 6-3, 6-3 quarterfinal win over Simona Halep, Williams was asked when she last felt able to control extra-long rallies. “It’s definitely been a minute,” she said with a smile. “It’s been a long minute. I think 19 . . . 1926, the summer of 1926 was the last time I felt that.” As Navratilova noted today on Tennis Channel Live, “She outhustled Halep.”

Next up for Williams is an intriguing semifinal versus Naomi Osaka, a cross-generational battle between a longstanding legend and a younger one who found a stylistic role model in Williams.

The exchanges between these two will be fierce, each seeking to impose her powerful serve and groundstrokes on the other. But the potential X factor could be Williams’ enhanced court coverage skills, an exceptionally impressive upgrade from a 39-year-old. Assessing Osaka’s ability to angle her forehand off the court, Navratilova said, “It’s going to be hard to find those openings.” As much as offense will put a great many points on the board in the Osaka-Williams semi, perhaps defense will prove the telling difference.

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Champions arrive, then they improve: competition demands evolution

Champions arrive, then they improve: competition demands evolution