In the stands this month at the Western & Southern Open in Ohio there seemed to be no debate.
There were shouts of “GOAT!” in Serena Williams’s direction and banners that read “GOAT” in her honor.
In February, Williams appeared to be in a similarly conclusive frame of mind during Milan Fashion Week when she wore a black sweatshirt with “GOAT” in large white letters: a product of her own fashion line.
With her retirement now imminent, it is certainly time to celebrate her long and phenomenal career, one of the most extraordinary from start to near-finish of any athlete.