Serena Williams will want to have a big say in the matter but the inexorable drive towards youth among women’s Grand Slam winners looks set to continue at the Australian Open over the next two weeks. The majestic American, who turns 40 this year, will be a contender for as long as she continues to swing a racket and arrives at Melbourne Park seeking a 24th Grand Slam title to match Margaret Court’s record. Simona Halep is the only woman over the age of 24 to have won a Grand Slam singles title in the last two years, however, with Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty, Bianca Andreescu and Iga Swiatek taking out the game’s other major prizes.