Serena Williams announced at the beginning of August that "now the countdown has begun".

It is interpreted by many that she will retire after the US Open at home in New York - after more than 20 years at the top of the world.

With 23 grand slam titles, Williams is the most successful female tennis player in modern times, only Margaret Court has won more – 24.

- In my eyes, there is no one who comes close to being as dominant for as long.

There is a challenge for women's tennis to create new superstars, says former player and tennis expert Maria Strandlund Tomsvik.

Missing the rivalry

- In recent years, several different players have won grand slam titles and the question is whether anyone can become as dominant as Serena Williams was before.

Japan's Naomi Osaka, current world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland and Australian Ashleigh Barty, who retired earlier this year after winning the Australian Open, have been named as candidates to take over the baton.

Tennis commentator and former Davis Cup captain Fredrik "Fidde" Rosengren on the status of women's tennis.

- Women's tennis has problems with identity and who is the big star right now.

When there are new names all the time and the audience doesn't recognize those playing in the final, there won't be the same interest, he says.

TT: Does women's tennis need a new superstar?

- Superstars are always needed, they are like a locomotive that pulls the sport forward and attracts interest from sponsors and fans.

The whole world knows who Serena Williams is and there are several talented young players who are on the way up but no one is pulling the same way right now.

Idols, stars and rivalry are needed in all sports, and I think it is extremely important that women's tennis achieves that quite quickly, says Fredrik Rosengren.

A special opponent

Former Swedish star Johanna Larsson, who retired in 2020, faced Williams three times.

The result: Three losses.

- Serena was a player who knew an incredible amount of tennis, sometimes she slowed down the pace and sometimes a rock-hard serve came.

I never knew what to expect and I think that unpredictability helped her a lot.

Having such a big profile has helped the sport a lot with television rights, ticket sales and advertising, says Johanna Larsson.

The US Open starts on Monday.