There’s been plenty of star power in the Stadium 1 seats this week in Indian Wells: Ageless boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard, husband-wife actors Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, tech innovator Bill Gates, etc. But, for tennis purists, none mustered more awe than the visage of nine-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 Monica Seles, who during a dominant stretch in the 1990s asserted herself as one of the fiercest competitors the sport has ever known. We sat down for a candid conversation with the Tennis Hall of Famer at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

We’re in an interesting time in the women’s game, a time of transition: Serena Williams hasn’t played a match since Wimbledon last summer. There’s some significant parody, whether it’s the defending champion here, Paula Badosa, or Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez, Ons Jabeur, etc. There are always cycles in this sport, but talk about where women’s tennis is right now.

The women’s game is in a great place right now. Even as a former player, when I look at a draw, I have no clue who’s going to win it. I think that’s the story here also; the players are so close in terms of the level. On any given day, anybody can win the tournament, let’s say, compared to my era, when you had the few people who you kind of knew would be in the semifinals. It was much more predictable.  I think it’s great for the sport, it’s great for the upcoming players who want to be on the tour one day to see that variety, to say, “If she can do it, I can do it.” It’s a great motivation for the players. The prize money is amazing now. The benefits of the tour are unbelievable. What the WTA has done in terms of the growth of the sport is truly magical. Selfishly, I really hope Serena comes back. I think it would be great to see her chase that record, kind of what we’re seeing with Rafa, Roger and Novak. As a former player, to me it’s just unbelievable. I would think it’s not…