Evergreen Serena Williams admitted on Saturday that she never thought she'd still be playing tennis into a third decade as she becomes the oldest woman to take the world top ranking. "I never thought I would be playing at 31, although I don't feel 31. I don't know where the time went," said the American, the winner of 15 Grand Slam singles titles. "I never, never, never thought I would still be out here, but I have nothing else to do. I'm pretty good at tennis still, so why not? I'd just rather I didn't sit at home all day."

Serena Williams, who becomes the oldest player to be ranked world number one in WTA Tour history on Monday, believes she can go on extending that record for some time. Williams, who made sure of the accolade by reaching the Qatar Open semi-finals yesterday, is at 31 years and five months, already six months older than the previous record-holder Chris Evert, and has plans to continue indefinitely.

Serena Williams on Friday became the oldest woman to claim the world number one ranking when she reached the Qatar Open semi-finals with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Petra Kvitova. Williams, 31, will take over from Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka as the world's best player on Monday, returning to the top spot for the first time in over two years. Chris Evert at 30 was the previous oldest world number one.

Serena Williams on Friday became the oldest woman to claim the world number one ranking when she reached the Qatar Open semi-finals with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Petra Kvitova. Williams, 31, will take over from Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka as the world's best player on Monday, returning to the top spot for the first time in over two years. Chris Evert at 30 was the previous oldest world number one.