THERE is, we see, growing momentum to recognise Ms Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player ever. That, of course, is a subjective measure and one that will trigger intense debate among people involved in the sport and those who are just simply fans.

What cannot be challenged, though, is Ms Williams’s magnificent record, which is now the focus of great attention as the approaching US Open offers her the opportunity to become the first female player in 27 years, since German Ms Steffi Graf, to complete a calendar-year sweep of the four major tournaments.

The US Open, scheduled for August 31 – September 13 in New York, will mark 16 years since Ms Williams won her first Grand Slam singles title in 1999. With her sixth victory at Wimbledon on Saturday, Ms Williams’s record now stands at 21 Grand Slam titles; one less than Ms Graf and three fewer than Australian Ms Margaret Court.

Even more impressive is the fact that this is the second time that Ms Williams has held all four Grand Slam titles — the US Open 2014, Australian Open 2015, French Open 2015, and now Wimbledon 2015 — at the same time.

Success in her chase of history in New York will certainly add weight to the arguments about her greatness.

This issue was examined yesterday by Mr Christopher Clarey, chief sports correspondent and regular columnist in the International New York Times. Mr Clarey, who has impeccable credentials as a sports journalist for more than 25 years, argued that if ‘greatest’ means the player who would have beaten all the rest at their respective peaks, it is hard not to feel a strong tug in Ms Williams’s direction.

“Her power serving and her serving under pressure are weapons that no other great player has possessed to the same degree. She is also complete off the ground and, guided by her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, improving her volleys, overhead and tactical variations,” Mr Clarey wrote.

On Sunday, Mr Bryan Armen Graham, deputy editor of Guardian US Sports, actually crowned Ms Williams the “greatest ever women’s tennis player”, and argued that the 33-year-old American “is transcending sport into a space we’re only beginning to reckon — past the Jordans, Gretzkys and Messis into the rarified air of Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson”.

That’s a huge compliment, one that we believe is deserving, especially for the fact that Ms Williams has excelled despite the racism and insults thrown at her since she made her professional debut in September 1995.

Impressively, she has handled the nasty comments with grace befitting of an exemplary human being and true champion, concentrating instead on improving her game and enjoying her victories.

The debate, we expect, will be intense over the next few weeks leading up to the US Open. And if Ms Williams is triumphant, she and her supporters will have a lot to celebrate. In the process, though, tennis will also win, and we will be fortunate to have lived and witnessed the greatness of Serena Jameka Williams.