Daily Bagel: Serena Williams and the greatest of all time debate

The Daily Bagel is your dose of the interesting reporting, writing and quipping from around the Internet.

• Video: Roger Federer has some cheeky ads out for Bonviva, a Swiss credit card company.

• Greg Couch of Fox Sports wonders what Serena Williams’ return to No. 1 means for her in the greatest-ever debate.

To be No. 1 at 31 suggests a lifelong commitment to fitness. Instead, Williams has had some issues there, even writing in her book about a time when she got out of shape because of her love for a particular doughnut shop. There have been plenty of times when she has been in shape, and plenty when she hasn’t been.

No, Williams has done this mostly with mental fitness. Talent, too, of course. But her ability to keep fresh mentally has been all about her approach.

At the same time, I don’t think she has accomplished all she could have on the court. Maybe that’s OK.

• The New York Times reports that Alisa Kleybanova, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma two years ago, is shooting for a midseason return.

• The Changeover captures Yulia Putintseva’s celebration after beating Laura Robson 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (6) in the first round of Dubai on Monday. She’s like the Jim Harbaugh of women’s tennis. She was made for GIF’ing.

• The Grandstand reviews Julien Benneteau’s eight career losses in ATP finals. The 31-year-old Frenchman is still title-less after losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the Rotterdam final on Sunday.

• Non-tennis: Interesting read at the Financial Times on whether the ubiquity of soccer in today’s age has made it less exotic and harder to love.