LONDON – In a surprising twist, tennis legend Serena Williams has agreed to compete in singles at Wimbledon, following a period of contemplation about her return to the sport. The All England Club offered her a final wild card entry, and despite previously announcing her participation in doubles alongside her sister Venus, Williams felt the weight of this opportunity.
“I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again. This could be it,” the 44-year-old Williams shared during a press conference on Sunday. Her internal dialogue emphasized the importance of seizing the moment, stating, “I was like, ‘What’s wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this.’”
The iconic athlete, who holds a remarkable 23 Grand Slam singles titles, will make her first appearance in singles at the grass-court Grand Slam since 2022. Williams is set to face 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia on Centre Court, marking a pivotal moment in her evolving comeback.
Having stepped away from professional tennis after her farewell at the 2022 U.S. Open, the 23-time champion reflects on her journey with a sense of humility and determination. Williams previously competed at Wimbledon in 2022, where she exited in the first round to Harmony Tan, ranked 115th at the time.
Discussing her decision to accept the singles wild card, Williams revealed, “I think it was on, I had until Monday to decide. I just wasn’t sure up until then. Honestly, I’m still not even sure, but we’ll see.” Her candidness about uncertainty reflects a genuine approach to her return to competitive play.
Despite her illustrious history at Wimbledon, where she has claimed seven singles titles, Williams acknowledged that her expectations have shifted. “In general, my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career,” she remarked, signaling her awareness of the evolving dynamics of her game and her approach.
As the tournament unfolds, defending champion Iga Swiatek will open play on Centre Court, followed by a highly anticipated match between Taylor Fritz and local favorite Jack Draper, before Williams steps on court against Joint.
Williams expressed familiarity with her opponent, noting, “Yeah, actually I know her. I’ve watched some of her videos,” before adding, “I’m sure she knows my game.” Joint, hailing from Michigan, has seen a drop in her WTA ranking, falling from No. 53 to No. 87 prior to their matchup.
Even the greatest athletes experience nerves, and Williams is no exception. “I expect to be nervous. I was also nervous every single match I ever played in my life,” she revealed. This acknowledgment underscores her enduring passion and commitment to the sport.
Holding an impressive first-round record of 19-2 at Wimbledon, Williams has faced challenges in her last two appearances, but her resilience remains evident. Notably, her last singles title at the All England Club was in 2016, and she reached the finals in both 2018 and 2019.
Returning to the court, Williams began her comeback with a doubles match alongside 19-year-old Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club grass-court tournament, followed by another doubles appearance in Berlin. Although she faced early exits, her determination to compete shines through.
As anticipation builds for her upcoming match, fellow competitors express both respect and caution regarding Williams’ return. Newly crowned French Open champion Mirra Andreeva voiced relief at not being drawn against Williams, a sentiment echoed by many in the circuit.
“No one knows how my game may or may not have evolved, what to expect,” Williams noted, highlighting the unpredictability of her return. This uncertainty adds an exciting dimension to her matches as she re-establishes herself on the global stage.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
