Serena Williams is making her singles comeback at Wimbledon, marking her return to Grand Slam competition after stepping away from the sport. Her participation follows two doubles matches in recent weeks, and she will face Maya Joint in her opening singles match. This return comes after Williams clarified in October 2022 that she was not retired, despite having stated earlier that year she was “evolving away” from tennis.
Williams’ decision to return to singles has generated discussion, particularly given her age. Monica Puig, an Olympic gold medallist, expressed surprise at Williams’ quick return to singles, noting that she had previously indicated she would ease back into playing. Puig highlighted that Williams’ mindset as a champion means she will not give opponents an easy match, making her return exciting for tennis fans.
Comeback and preparation
Williams’ return to competitive tennis began with re-entering the anti-doping testing pool late last year. The grass-court season was seen as a suitable period for her comeback due to her comfort on the surface and its comparatively lower physical demands than clay. She played doubles at Queen’s Club and in Berlin.
At Queen’s, Williams impressed in her initial doubles match alongside Victoria Mboko. However, Mboko’s injury unfortunately limited Williams to only one match at the tournament. Her time in Berlin was also brief, as she experienced a first-round loss with Karolina Muchova.
Despite the limited competitive play, Williams’ serve is expected to be a significant factor at Wimbledon. Puig noted that Williams will likely rely on her serve to secure free points and navigate challenging situations, especially on grass, which can be mentally demanding due to the quick pace and momentum shifts. Williams’ ability to play at the net and her groundstrokes were also observed to be sharp at Queen’s.
Impact and future outlook
Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport commented on Williams’ physical condition, stating that she appears to be in incredible shape, possibly even better than when she last competed. Davenport believes Williams is returning because she feels capable of making an immediate impact in women’s tennis, despite the challenges of returning after several years away and at an older age.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli acknowledged the difficulty of returning to the sport at Williams’ age, particularly after two pregnancies. Bartoli noted that playing in front of her children seemed to provide Williams with strength, as evidenced by her performance in her first doubles match at Queen’s. Bartoli expressed excitement about Williams’ return to the court.
Williams has stated she is putting no pressure on herself for this return. She is unranked in singles following her hiatus. Her comeback has also led to speculation about her long-term goals. Tennis expert Mats Wilander believes Williams’ return is not short-term and expects her to compete at the US Open later this year. Wilander also suggested that Williams might be aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, considering her past success in the Olympics.
Wilander also highlighted Williams’ serve as potentially the best in women’s tennis history, which is a crucial asset on grass courts. However, he expressed concern about her movement in longer rallies if opponents can consistently return her serve. He noted that movement on grass is particularly challenging and requires recent experience, which Williams has not had for several years.
Williams’ opponent in her singles return, Maya Joint, is a 20-year-old Australian who has never played against Williams before. Wilander believes that Williams’ aura will be a significant factor against a younger, less experienced opponent.
Off the court, Williams has maintained a strong business presence. She has ten long-term sponsors, including Audemars Piguet, Lincoln, Nike, and Wilson Sporting Goods. She has also partnered with companies like Factor, Heineken, and Reckitt Catalyst, and is the face of Ro’s campaign for GLP-1 weight loss medications. Her business ventures include speaking engagements, a children’s book, and her production company, Nine Two Six Productions, which has a first-look deal with Amazon Studios. Additionally, Williams co-hosts a podcast with her sister Venus called Stockton Street.
Her investment firm, Serena Ventures, which focuses on early-stage startups founded by women and people of colour, had funded 16 unicorns by 2022 and raised $111 million for its inaugural fund. Williams has also invested in sports, holding a stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins since 2009. In 2020, she and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, were early investors in Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League and led the purchase of Los Angeles Golf Club. She also has stakes in the Unrivaled three-on-three women’s basketball league and the Toronto Tempo, a WNBA team.
Williams’ career prize money totals $94.8 million, and her estimated lifetime earnings are approximately $620 million, making her the world’s richest woman who has primarily earned her fortune as an athlete, with an estimated net worth of $400 million.
Williams will continue her comeback at Wimbledon with a doubles match on Thursday or Friday alongside her sister Venus.
Read Also
Source: skysports.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
