The debate started even before this monumental season of 11 titles, 2 majors, 78 victories to four losses and $12,385 ,572 in prize money. Instead, it was as Serena Williams completed the Wimbledon double-double in 2012, soaring to singles and doubles titles at The Championships and the Olympics, that the debate came to fruition. Quietly, the question was posed: “Is this the best tennis of Serena Williams’ career?” By the US Open that year, it was no longer a question up for debate. To most, it was but a fact . This was indeed Serena’s best tennis, they said. And so it was written in every article, screamed from every rooftop, mentioned in every broadcast. Constantly. Repeatedly.

But throughout this period, there has always been one non-believer:  one notable person clearly in full and often uncharacteristically silent disagreement. Each and every time this train of thought has choo-chooed past Serena Williams herself, either directly or in passing during her press duties,  a pointed response was sent off in the same direction.

It happened again after she completed her undefeated run through the elite field in Istanbul.  This time, the question was presented to her in bluntly straightforward terms. The final ball had been struck, the final point concluded, the final penny earned, the final trophy won for Patrick Mouratoglou’s proud trophy cabinet. Finally, she could properly answer whether this was the best year of her career.

“Well, I had three Grand Slams [in another season],” said Serena. “I live to win slams.  I mean, obviously I'm so excited to be the WTA champion, and I think I have a top three.  I can't say it's the best.  I can't say it's not the best.  I don't know.  I really don't know. “

So, not really then. And it is difficult to disagree. It is not easy to recall the events that kicked into gear eleven long years and eight months ago when Serena arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona after withdrawing from Melbourne with an ankle sprain. She had generally failed to live up to the expectations set after her barrier-smashing US Open win at 17, but that would change in 2002.

There, in Scottsdale, Serena won the title. She set off to Miami and won there too. She took home titles in Rome, Paris, Wimbledon and New York and finished the year with a total of eight trophies and a perfect record in majors, with three to her name.

It was a year of fewer titles, victories and more losses than this stonewall  dominance of 2013, but surely this was the greatest Serena Williams of all? This was the Serena Williams in her physical peak, her footwork more precise and effortless, her athleticism and movement more supreme than anyone in history but her sister, Venus. This was the Serena Williams able to perfectly balance every aspect of tennis.  She was the greatest competitior of all, seeping power and athleticism while showcasing delicate angles, netplay, footwork and intelligence.

Across that season of 2002, her wins over her most notable rivals speak loudest of all. Jennifer Capriati was slayed five times, Venus four times, Martina Hingis twice, Justine Henin twice, Amelie Mauresmo twice, Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters too. This was the Serena Williams who faced off against some of the greatest competition in one of the most competitive eras of women’s tennis, yet she indiscriminately blew them off the court.

Today, the talk of the town centers around her growth as a player and skills developed that were not present before. She can volley! She can hit drop shots! She can defend! It is true that, as 2013 raged on, these qualities became more and more prominent. Her undefeated run on clay was the result of Williams often relinquishing the first strike and relying on a defense and lightness that she lacked a year ago. But the most notable takeaway from this is the world finally understanding that Serena Williams possesses more than just power, rather than her introducing any tennis that has not already been seen before.

Even so, there remains something very special about the happenings unfolding in front of our eyes. Throughout her career, Serena Williams has made it her occupation to silence the naysayers and those who spoke ill of her. For a period, her job description closer resembled that of someone who spent endless hours in front of her computer, twiddling her thumbs and keeping constant tabs on her name. Only when the tide of criticism threatened to burst through the barriers did she pick up her racket and return to the fore. When Mary Carillo called Maria Sharapova a better tennis player than her? Enter the 2005 Australian Open. That time that she was branded overweight, uncommitted and so uninterested in tennis that it was deemed necessary for Chris Evert to drop by with an open letter?  Enter the 2007 Australian Open.

In this instance, however, Serena has gone far beyond the seemingly miraculous recoveries of old. The idea of her sauntering into a season on the verge of turning 32 years old and finishing it with 11 titles to her name was not exactly discounted. Rather, it once was not realistic in any way. Not even the most militant branch of her fans could have imagined such a scenario.

But here she is, and there she was. In her 92nd match of the year and 82nd singles match, wallowing from the effects of sheer exhaustion and a set down to Li Na. Serena could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel and checking out after a year that defied belief. But, just over an hour later, she stood on the same court against the same opponent, closing out the year with a 6-0 bagel set.

Since the beginning of the Open Era 40 years ago, eight singles major titles have been won every year by men and women. Thus, the world has been presented with the opportunity to witness otherworldly greatness at least eight times a year, every year. Despite all of that, it is difficult to think of anything more impressive than Serena Williams, just under three years removed from a near-death experience, in a time should at least be the gloomy autumn of her career, blossoming once more.