Veterans dominating Grand Slam tournaments is set to become a thing of the past with the younger generation now the ones to beat on the women's tour.
Of the previous 14 major tournaments before this year's Australian Open, Petra Kvitova was the only major champion under the age of 25 when she won Wimbledon last year.
Experienced campaigners Kim Clijsters, Li Na and Sam Stosur won the other three in 2011, but Victoria Azarenka's demolition of world No.4 Maria Sharapova in Saturday night's Australian Open final was a clear sign of where the game is heading.
The 22-year-old won the final nine games of the match to cruise to her first Grand Slam title in a 6-3 6-0 victory in just 82 minutes.
Azarenka will also take over the No.1 ranking for the first time in her career and with 21-year-olds Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki occupying two of the other places in the top four it is unlikely any of the older players will get another look in.
Yes it is true they build up their points by playing more tournaments but that is what is required of a professional tennis player these days.
Williams can't expect to just turn up to Grand Slams and win. There is no doubt she remains the most powerful player on tour but as evidenced by her fourth-round loss to world No.56 Ekaterina Makarova, power isn't everything.
Clijsters will never give up and her ability to fight for every point is second to none but her ailing body appears to be catching up with her as she also deals with motherhood.
Stosur continues to battle mental demons which will prevent her from taking the next step, while Li turns 30 next month and her best tennis looks to be well and truly behind her.
Sharapova is an interesting one and at 24 it is hard to say which way she will go. She still has the ability to match it with the best but it looks like she might have peaked too early with her third Grand Slam title coming back in 2008.
All these veterans have enjoyed stellar careers and while they will continue to progress deep into major tournaments, it will be a surprise to see them go all the way.
The new generation headed by new world No.1 Azarenka and including the likes of Kvitova, Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska are set to dominate the women's game this year and for many years to come.
Azarenka said her victory and Kvitova's triumph at Wimbledon could serve as a changing of the guard and added that her rivalry with the Czech will be one to saviour over the coming years.
"I think it's a great thing for women's tennis," she said.
"We have good rivalry, I would say, you know. With Petra we had amazing matches."
"Unfortunately I haven't beat her, but I'm really looking forward to that."