Serena Williams is set to make her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon, facing Maya Joint in the third match on Centre Court. The American tennis icon, who turned 44, has been away from competitive singles, during which time she welcomed a second daughter and co-founded a National Women’s Soccer League team.
Her comeback follows her re-entry into the anti-doping testing pool, signaling her intent to return to professional play. She previously stated in 2022 that she was “evolving away” from the sport but later clarified that she was not retired. The grass-court season was seen as a suitable time for her return due to her comfort on the surface and its comparatively lower physical demands.
Wimbledon comeback and preparation
Williams has been preparing for her return, including playing doubles matches at Queen’s Club and in Berlin. At Queen’s, she impressed in her opening doubles match before her partner, Victoria Mboko, sustained an injury. Her stay in Berlin was brief, with a first-round loss alongside Karolina Muchova.
Despite the time away, those who have seen her play recently note her continued prowess. Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who practiced with Williams, commented on her “incredible serve” and strong performance on grass. Greece’s Maria Sakkari also observed her “clean” hitting and shot-making, believing Williams will win matches on grass, with endurance being her main challenge.
Novak Djokovic, a friend of Williams, noted her dedication, stating he has seen her in the gym “more than when she was at her prime.” He added that her effort is admirable and hopes she enjoys her return, acknowledging her historical and legendary career achievements.
Williams herself has described her retransition as “very easy,” returning to a familiar house she has used for years. She views her presence on court as a success, stating, “I never expected to be here.” She also mentioned that she thought, “I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again? This could be it.”
Expectations and challenges
The decision to accept a singles wildcard at Wimbledon surprised some, including Monica Puig, who had heard Williams might ease back into singles. However, Puig believes Williams would not take a wildcard if she did not feel “100 per cent fit.” Puig also highlighted Williams’ “champion’s mindset” and competitive nature, suggesting she will approach the tournament with a “nothing-to-lose mentality” or a drive to win.
Williams’ serve is expected to be a crucial asset, with Monica Puig noting its ability to create “free points” and get her out of trouble. Her net play and groundstrokes also appeared sharp during her doubles appearances.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli expressed concerns about the physical demands of returning at her age, especially after two pregnancies. However, she noted that Williams played brilliantly in her first doubles match at Queen’s, showing flashes of her past form. Williams’ British hitting partner, David Quayle, also spoke of her enduring “aura” on court.
Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at Wimbledon. Her last major singles title was won nearly a decade ago. She reached the singles final at Wimbledon in 2018 and 2019 but has not won a match at the All England Club since.
Source: bbc.co.uk