Serena Williams is set to make her singles comeback at Wimbledon, marking her return to Grand Slam competition after stepping away from the sport. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion will face Maya Joint in her first singles match since the 2022 US Open. This return follows her participation in two doubles matches during the grass-court season.
Williams had previously stated in 2022 that she was “evolving away” from tennis, but later clarified that she was “not retired.” Her re-entry into the anti-doping testing pool late last year initiated speculation about her comeback. The decision to return to singles at Wimbledon, especially after playing only two doubles matches, has been described as a significant gamble, given her absence from competitive singles for nearly four years.
Comeback and preparation
Before Wimbledon, Williams competed in doubles events at Queen’s Club and the Berlin Open. At Queen’s, she impressed in her opening doubles match alongside Victoria Mboko. However, Mboko’s injury unfortunately limited Williams to just one match at the tournament. Her stay in Berlin was also brief, as she and partner Karolina Muchova suffered a first-round loss.
Despite the limited competitive play, Williams has been observed to be in excellent physical condition. Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport noted that Williams looks to be in better shape than when she last played. Monica Puig, an Olympic gold medallist, expressed surprise at Williams’ swift return to singles, having anticipated a more gradual easing back into the format. Puig believes Williams would not accept a wild card if she did not feel completely fit, suggesting her readiness for the challenge of grass courts.
Williams’ serve, which reached an impressive 120mph at Queen’s, is expected to be a crucial asset at Wimbledon. Puig highlighted that grass is a mentally exhausting surface where points happen quickly, and Williams’ ability to keep points short and utilise her net play, honed through her successful doubles career, will be key. Her intimidating presence on court is also considered a significant factor.
Expectations and future outlook
While Williams has stated she has nothing left to prove, Davenport suggests that her inherent drive to be the best means results will still be important. Davenport believes Williams is returning because she feels capable of making an immediate impact in women’s tennis, though she cautions against expecting immediate tournament wins. The unique nature of Williams’ career means she defies typical athletic trajectories, even as she approaches her 45th birthday in September.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli acknowledged the physical demands of returning to professional tennis at Williams’ age, especially after two pregnancies. However, Bartoli also noted Williams’ strong performance in her first doubles match at Queen’s, suggesting she can still perform at a high level. Bartoli expressed excitement at seeing Williams back on court.
Mats Wilander, a tennis expert, believes Williams’ comeback extends beyond Wimbledon. He anticipates her participation in the US Open and suggests she may be targeting the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Wilander highlighted Williams’ serve as potentially the best in women’s tennis history, which is a significant advantage on grass. His main concern for Williams is her movement in longer rallies, particularly against opponents who can consistently return her serve and engage in extended exchanges.
Williams will be unranked in singles for Wimbledon due to her long hiatus. She has stated she is putting no pressure on herself, viewing the opportunity to compete possibly one last time as exciting. Her opponent, Maya Joint, a 20-year-old Australian, has never played Williams before and described facing the tennis legend at Wimbledon as a dream come true. Wilander noted that Williams’ aura will be particularly impactful against such a young and inexperienced opponent.
Williams’ return to Wimbledon follows a period where she gave birth to her second daughter in 2023 and remained active with her business ventures. Her estimated net worth is $400 million, making her the world’s richest woman to have primarily earned her fortune as an athlete. She has numerous long-term sponsors and has expanded her business interests through Serena Ventures, which has invested in various startups, including sports teams like the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, and the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA.
Williams’ return to singles tennis at Wimbledon is scheduled for Tuesday against Maya Joint.
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Source: skysports.com
As News-GB.org's Sports Reporter, Eleanor Vance reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name on long-form athlete profiles. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Bath and completed an NCTJ diploma. Eleanor lives in Bath, where she swims competitively and follows British athletics. “A profile is only as good as the questions behind it.”