Football legend Wayne Rooney recently revealed his personal list of the five greatest sports stars of all time, and one name stood out for its powerful story beyond the stats: Serena Williams. The tennis icon, who retired in 2022 with a staggering 23 Grand Slam singles titles, secured the fourth spot on Rooney's prestigious list, even ranking above modern legends like Novak Djokovic.

Rooney, a former Manchester United and England captain, shared his reasoning on *The Wayne Rooney Show*, explaining that his admiration goes far beyond Williams's on-court dominance. "I just think Serena Williams is really inspiring," he said, highlighting her impact, especially on women in sports. He pointed to the cultural barriers she and her sister Venus broke down and the sheer longevity of her career in a sport where athletes once peaked in their mid-to-late twenties.

What truly resonated with Rooney was Williams's personal journey and relentless drive. He cited her documentary and the image of her breastfeeding before matches as powerful testaments to her dedication. "The fact that she's breastfeeding before she's gone out to play... it was really inspiring," Rooney noted. He also touched on the unique sibling rivalry with Venus, suggesting that competition fueled Serena's ascent to becoming the most decorated player in their legendary family.

While acknowledging the greatness of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Pete Sampras, Rooney made a clear choice. "For me, what Serena has done I think is incredible," he stated, emphasizing that her legacy is built on inspiring millions as much as it is on her 73 WTA titles and nearly $95 million in career earnings. In Rooney's view, true sporting greatness is measured by the barriers broken and the lives changed, a standard Serena Williams has undoubtedly met.