TENNIS: Serena Williams is greatest of all time even if she doesn't break Grand Slam record, believes Marion Bartoli

Serena Williams is the greatest female player of all time regardless of whether she breaks the record for grand slam victories, according to former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli.

Williams is gunning for her 20th major title at the French Open next week and success would see her move to within two of Steffi Graf and four of Margaret Court's all-time best in the list of multiple champions.

At 33 years old, Williams is running out of time to write her name in the history books but Bartoli believes the American should be remembered as the greatest ever, with or without the record.

Serena Williams at Roland Garros training ahead of the start of the French Open

Williams was in action on Saturday in Paris alongside her coach Patrick Mouratoglou 

Williams is gunning for her 20th major title at the French Open next week

Williams (centre) with Marion Bartoli (left) and Caroline Wozniacki at an event in Monte Carlo this week

'If there is one player who can get the record, I think it is her,' said Bartoli, who won Wimbledon in 2013 and is part of ITV's French Open coverage.

'I think Serena really wants to break the record, that's for sure. It would cement her place as the greatest player of all time and I really feel that she is that. I feel that is her title.

'I don't know if she will make it to the record but even if not, she is very much the greatest player of all time.

'If she can match that title with the most number of grand slam titles then that is only appropriate because watching her and commentating on her, that is who she is.'

Williams is the top seed and favourite at Roland Garros, despite only reaching one semi-final in Paris, when she won three years ago, since 2003.

Her chances may be hampered by an elbow injury, which forced her to withdraw from the Italian Open last week and is still causing her pain, while there is also a psychological aspect, after her shock second round defeat to Spain's Garbine Muguruza 12 months ago.

Williams at a photocall in Paris on Friday to promote the new film Pixels 

Williams poses in front of the Eiffel tower as she took a break from preparation

Victory in Paris would also put her on four fewer Grand Slams than Margaret Court's all-time record (24)

Williams admited she is still feeling pain with elbow injury that caused her to pull out of Italian Open

'For her it's going to be about getting past the bad memories of last year,' Bartoli said. 'It's about how her body is reacting now and how good she feels about herself. 

'If Serena is ready to play, I don't see anyone who can beat her right now. 'At the final of the Australian Open she was extremely ill and she was still able to win because she had so much strength inside her.

'Only she knows how much pain she is in and whether the injury is something she can play with or not. 'Only she knows and I'm not sure she will even say exactly how she feels.'