Simona Halep is the current world No. 1, boasts an 18-2 record in 2018 and is into the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open, but she doesn't think she's the best.

"I'm the world No. 1 in this moment, but I just watched the best player in the world," Halep said after watching Serena Williams play Venus in the third round of Indian Wells. "I felt to come because I admire a lot the sisters."

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Venus would win in straight sets, but Halep thinks the 36-year-old Serena deserved a very esteemed seeding.

"I think she should have been actually No. 1 seed in this tournament because she left as No. 1 in the world," Halep said. "And to give birth, it's the best thing in the world. It's more than a sport. So I think she should have been ranked as she left."

Serena is currently unranked and was unseeded in the BNP Paribas Open draw. She stepped away from the tour for 14 months to give birth to her daughter in September.

Halep watched most of the Williams sisters third round showdown, saying she is learning a lot from them.

"The motivation, the game, the way that they are hitting in important moments, the way they stay there and they are focused for every ball," Halep said. "So everything in general I have things to learn."

But will she take a page from their longevity books and stay on tour into her mid-30s?

"No chance," the 26-year-old said.