Former world number one, Serena Williams, says returning to Wimbledon is already a success as she prepares for her first singles appearance at the Championships in almost four years.
The 44-year-old American will face Australia’s Maya Joint on Tuesday in the third match on Centre Court, marking her first Wimbledon singles match in 1,396 days.
Speaking to BBC, Williams admitted she never expected to find herself back competing at the All England Club.
“It’s been a very easy retransition. I’m back in the house that I stayed in [for] several years,” Williams said.
“It’s nothing too new, and at the same time it’s everything new. Change is good. Success [for me] is just walking out there. I never expected to be here.
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“Success is enjoying myself and sticking to my gameplan that my coach gives me, being disciplined – and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
A different chapter
Williams returns to Wimbledon as a different person from the one who left Centre Court after losing to France’s Harmony Tan in 2022.
Since stepping away from full-time tennis, she has welcomed a second daughter, co-founded a team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and made a high-profile appearance during the Super Bowl halftime show.
Even Wimbledon itself feels different.
She admitted that some familiar faces are gone and that she briefly got lost while making her way to the media centre.
Wimbledon remains special
Few players have shaped Wimbledon quite like Serena and her sister, Venus Williams.
Between 2000 and 2016, the sisters won a combined 12 Wimbledon singles titles, with Serena lifting the trophy seven times and Venus claiming five.
Together, they also won six women’s doubles titles and produced some of the tournament’s most memorable finals against each other.
Their dominance made the Williams sisters synonymous with Wimbledon and Centre Court.
Wildcard acceptance
Williams said receiving a Wimbledon wildcard convinced her to return.
She said, “I can name probably like a handful of people. I happened to be one of them. I thought, ‘I should really take this opportunity’. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again? This could be it.
“I was like, ‘What’s wrong with you, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts?’ I have this great opportunity to showcase what I do best.”
Questions remain
Whether Williams can compete over the course of a demanding Grand Slam remains uncertain.
At 44, she faces questions over how her body will cope with the physical demands of five matches or more, particularly after several years away from regular singles competition.
However, those who have practised with her say her quality remains evident.
British hitting partner David Quayle, who helped Williams prepare before her return in doubles at Queen’s Club earlier this month, described the experience as unique.
“It’s a funny thing to see someone that you have watched their serve on TV for so many years, and then all of a sudden that serve is coming at you,” Quayle said.
“You’re fighting between admiring some of the shots and actually playing them. She’s got that kind of aura.
“I’m starting to get a little bit more used to seeing her over the other side of the net, but every day is special.”
Comments from players
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk said Williams still possesses one of the sport’s best serves after practising with her before Wimbledon.
“I was a little nervous. I’ve never hit a ball with her, never practised, never played a match, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Kostyuk said.
“She played really good. She still has an incredible serve. She’s very good on grass – I’m very excited to see her play.”
Maria Sakkari also backed Williams to remain competitive, saying, “I never had any doubt that the way she plays and her shot-making would be fine.
“They were ‘clean’, as always. I believe she will win matches, especially on grass.
“After that, it will come down to how much she can endure over longer periods. I think that will be her biggest challenge.”
Meanwhile, 24-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, praised Williams’ commitment to her comeback.
“It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible,” Djokovic said.
“It’s admirable, honestly, the effort she’s putting in. I just hope that she will enjoy it because she really deserves it.
“She created something historical, legendary in her career. She deserves every applause she’s going to get.”
