Evonne Goolagong Cawley always feared Serena Williams returned too soon.
But Australia's tennis super-mum is still backing the American to add to her record grand slam tally, despite her French Open setback.
Goolagong Cawley was in the stands on Court Philippe-Chatrier with daughter Kelly eager to see how Williams' comeback was coming along before the 23-times major winner withdrew from her scheduled fourth-round showdown with Maria Sharapova on Monday.
Goolagong Cawley wasn't surprised that Williams was unable to back up for her fourth match in less than a week since making her grand slam comeback after the birth of her first child only last September.
"About three months after I had Kelly, I went and played in Canada. I felt great, I was ready to go and I was very energetic," Goolagong Cawley said.
"But as soon as I started playing, I thought 'no, too soon'. I went back home and slept for two days.
"So my body wasn't ready for matches."
Goolagong Cawley used the next four months to play exhibitions only to try to readjust to match conditions.
The former world No.1 then returned home and won the 1977 Australian Open seven months after having Kelly before claiming a second Wimbledon crown in 1980 - and seventh major singles title - in a glorious climax to her grand slam career.
Goolagong Cawley was 26 when she won the '77 Australian Open and points out Williams is a decade older at 36.
"I realised that she went back too soon before and her body's not sort of conditioned to playing matches, just like me," she said.
"But she is a bit older too, so maybe she needed to take a little bit more time before she came back to playing tournaments."
In Paris to receive the International Tennis Federations's highest accolade, the Philippe Chatrier Award on Tuesday night, Goolagong Cawley remains an unabashed Williams fan.
And she is tipping the most prolific grand slam singles winner in professional tennis history to add to her major collection.
"Look how eager she is to get back," Goolagong Cawley said.
"She's a true champion and she'll work hard and she'll want to get back.
"Now I wish her all the best because she's a fantastic player and I don't know how much longer it will take before she gets back to her old self, but I wish her all the best.
"It's wonderful being a mother playing anyway."
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