Serena Williams is making her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon, facing Maya Joint in her first match since the 2022 US Open. This comeback follows her participation in doubles events in London and Berlin. Williams had previously stated in 2022 that she was “evolving away” from the sport, but later clarified that she was not retired, suggesting a return was possible.

Her decision to accept a singles wild card for Wimbledon surprised some, including Monica Puig, who noted that Williams had previously indicated she would ease her way back into singles play. Puig, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist, expressed excitement for tennis and Wimbledon, highlighting Williams’ champion mindset and competitive nature.

Comeback and preparation

Williams’ return to competitive play began with doubles matches. She impressed in her opening doubles match at Queen’s Club alongside Victoria Mboko. However, Mboko’s injury unfortunately limited Williams to just one match there. Her subsequent appearance in Berlin saw her suffer a first-round loss with Karolina Muchova.

Despite the limited competitive singles play, Williams has been active. She re-entered the anti-doping testing pool late last year, a commitment necessary for professional tennis players. The grass-court season was seen as a logical choice for her return due to her comfort on the surface and its comparatively lower physical demands than clay courts. Williams is also competing in doubles at Wimbledon with her sister Venus Williams.

Lindsay Davenport, a former world No. 1, observed that Williams appears to be in excellent physical condition, possibly better than when she initially stepped away from the sport. Davenport acknowledged that grass is a demanding surface to start on, being fast, low, and physical, requiring significant bending.

Expert views on her return

Monica Puig believes that Williams would not have accepted a wild card if she did not feel fully fit, especially given the challenging nature of grass courts. Puig suggested Williams might adopt a “nothing-to-lose” mentality or a “champions mentality” focused on winning, emphasising the need to take it day by day.

Williams’ serve is expected to be a crucial asset, with Puig noting its ability to get her out of trouble. At Queen’s Club, Williams’ serve reached an impressive 120mph. Puig also highlighted Williams’ sharpness at the net and with her groundstrokes. Keeping points short will be key on grass, a surface that can be mentally exhausting due to its quick pace and momentum shifts.

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli expressed concerns about the physical demands of returning at Williams’ age, particularly after two pregnancies. However, Bartoli noted that playing in front of her children seemed to give Williams strength, and she was thrilled to see her back on court, particularly after her strong serving performance in her first doubles match at Queen’s.

Mats Wilander, a tennis expert, believes Williams’ comeback is not short-term and expects her to compete at the US Open. He also suggested that Williams might be aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, given her past success with multiple gold medals in singles and doubles. Wilander considers Williams to have arguably the best women’s serve of all time, which is a significant advantage on grass courts where the serve and return of serve are paramount.

Financial standing and future aspirations

Williams returns to Wimbledon as one of the wealthiest female athletes. By the time she initially stepped away from tennis, her estimated pre-tax income from her professional career, which began in 1995, was almost $450 million. Her lifetime earnings are now estimated at roughly $620 million, with a net worth of $400 million, making her the world’s richest woman who primarily earned her fortune as an athlete.

Her financial success extends beyond prize money, with ten long-term sponsors including Audemars Piguet, Lincoln, Nike, and Wilson Sporting Goods. She has also diversified her business ventures, engaging in speaking engagements, publishing a children’s book, and launching Nine Two Six Productions. Her investment firm, Serena Ventures, has funded 16 unicorns as of 2022 and raised $111 million for its inaugural fund. Williams has also invested in sports teams, including a stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, and the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA.

Williams has stated she is putting no pressure on herself for her return, viewing it as an opportunity to compete possibly one last time. Her opponent, Maya Joint, is a 20-year-old Australian who is unseeded and ranked 53rd in the world. Wilander noted that Williams’ aura will likely be a significant factor against such a young opponent who has never played her before.

Williams’ return to singles tennis at Wimbledon marks her first competitive singles match since the 2022 US Open.

Source: skysports.com

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