'Pretty scary' was how Britain's Katie Boulter described her recent meeting with Serena Williams at the Hopman Cup when the USA took on GB in the mixed team competition.
Perhaps umpire Carlos Ramos may have felt the same during the tirade Williams launched at him in the final of her last tournament.
Ramos is back on Grand Slam duty over the coming fortnight and so is the greatest women's player of all, starting as the No 16 seed but the bookies' favourite.
'Pretty scary' was how Katie Boulter described her recent meeting with Serena Williams
The greatest women's player of all, starting as the No16 seed is the bookies' favourite
Her status as the player to beat is partly built on the reaction she induced from the likes of Boulter who are, naturally enough, slightly in awe of her presence.
Even though she is past her 37th birthday Williams can still project an aura like no other, and again that is hardly surprising given that she is going for a 24th major title that would tie her with Margaret Court.
Boulter summed up what it was like being on the other side of the net when they met in Perth, where she acquitted herself honourably, taking her legendary opponent to a second-set tiebreak.
'It was pretty scary actually,' said Boulter. 'She's been my idol my entire life, someone I watched from stage one. To be on the other side of the court was an honour and a privilege to see such an amazing player who has accomplished so much, it was definitely an inspiration.'
Off the court Boulter found herself besides Williams at an official function, and she lived up to her expectations.
Boulter summed up what it was like being on the other side of the net when they met in Perth
She acquitted herself honourably, taking her legendary opponent to a second-set tiebreak
'We had the New Year's Eve gala there and I was actually sat next to her, she was answering some questions and stuff. She's always lovely and a really sweet girl. I was lucky enough to get to chat to her a little bit.
'She's another champion, someone I aspire to be like. The more I can learn from her the better, like anyone I'm around, just like being around Roger Federer — all of them. Hopefully I can use that week and build on it for the rest of this year.'
So Williams's reputation among
