"When I'm 48, I hope I can be standing, let alone competing": When Serena Williams marveled at Martina Navratilova playing tennis being nearly 50

Serena Williams once admired how her fellow American tennis icon Martina Navratilova continued to compete in tennis even as she approached 50 years of age.

Navratilova initially retired from singles in 1994 after exiting the Virginia Slims Championships (now WTA Finals) in the opening round, but kept playing doubles. However, the American made a singles comeback in 2002 before permanently hanging up her racquet in 2006.

Williams, who had just won the 2004 Nasdaq-100 Open (now the Miami Masters), was asked by reporters to comment on her compatriot continuing to play even at the age of 48 and she replied:

"Oh, good. I don't blame her. If you can do it, you should do it. You know, she's just an unbelievable athlete, unbelievable person. And, you know, I think she'll win a few rounds."

The 23-time Grand Slam champion also shared how Navratilova's fighting spirit kept her motivated. She also joked that she at least hopes to still be standing when nearing 50, let alone compete on a professional level.

"It keeps me motivated. When I'm 48, I hope I can be standing, let alone competing on a professional level with such professional athletes. It's gonna be good, so I'm excited."

Serena Williams used a protected ranking and was seeded No. 1 at the Nasdaq-100 Open that year. She defeated the likes of Marta Marrero, Elena Likhovtseva, Maria Sharapova, Jill Craybas, Eleni Daniilidou and Elena Dementieva to lift the trophy in Miami.

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Serena Williams on winning Nasdaq-100 Open 2004: "I'm happy that I was able to come back and take a title"

Serena Williams pictured with her 2004 NASDAQ-100 Open trophy

Serena Williams was absent from the first quarter of the 2004 season and played her first tournament at the Nasdaq-100 Open in Miami, coming on the back of an eight-month layoff.

After successfully defending her title on her home soil, Williams said that she was excited to add another trophy to her kitty. The American also mentioned that she didn't pay attention to the draw, just focused on playing her best against whoever she was up against.

"You know, I'm really excited. I feel really happy. Just really excited. I'm real happy that I was able to come back and take a title. It's great," Williams told the reporters.

"I just came out and just wanted to win every match or just win every point. I never looked to see who I played in the next round. I just wanted to do me (sic). I think I was able to do that," she added.