Williams returns to singles play
Serena Williams is set to make her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon, facing Maya Joint in the first round. This marks her first singles match since the US Open in 2022. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had previously indicated she was “evolving away” from the sport in 2022, but later clarified that she was not retired and that the chances of a return were high.
Her comeback follows her re-entry into the anti-doping testing pool, a commitment that suggested her intention to play professionally again. The grass-court season was seen as a suitable period for her return due to her comfort on the surface and its potentially lower physical demands compared to clay courts.
Prior to her singles return, Williams participated in doubles events. She impressed in her opening doubles match at Queen’s Club alongside Victoria Mboko. However, Mboko’s injury meant Williams only played one match there. Her subsequent appearance in Berlin saw her suffer a first-round loss with Karolina Muchova.
Expert reactions and expectations
Monica Puig, an Olympic gold medallist, expressed surprise at Williams’ decision to accept a singles wild card for Wimbledon, especially given earlier statements about easing back into singles play. Puig noted that Williams’ return is beneficial for tennis and Wimbledon, highlighting Williams’ champion mindset and competitive nature. She suggested that Williams would not take a wild card unless she felt physically fit, especially considering the tricky nature of grass courts.
Puig also commented on Williams’ serve, which reached an impressive 120mph at Queen’s, stating that it would be a crucial asset at Wimbledon. She believes Williams will aim to secure many free points and keep rallies short, leveraging her confidence at the net and her intimidating presence.
Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport observed that Williams appears to be in excellent physical condition, possibly better than when she last competed. Davenport acknowledged that grass is a challenging surface to start on due to its speed and physical demands. While Williams has stated she has nothing left to prove, Davenport remains sceptical, suggesting that Williams’ inherent drive to be the best means results are still important to her. Davenport believes Williams is returning because she feels capable of making an immediate impact in women’s tennis, though she cautioned against expecting immediate tournament wins.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli expressed concerns about the physical challenges of returning at Williams’ age, particularly after two pregnancies. However, Bartoli noted that playing in front of her children seemed to give Williams strength, as evidenced by her performance in her first doubles match at Queen’s.
Long-term ambitions and financial standing
Tennis expert Mats Wilander believes that Williams’ comeback is not a short-term endeavour. He anticipates her participation in the US Open later this year and suggests that she may be targeting the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Wilander highlighted Williams’ strong serve as a significant advantage on grass courts, potentially the best in the history of women’s tennis. However, he raised concerns about her movement in longer rallies, especially against opponents who can consistently return her serve and extend points.
Williams’ financial success remains notable. By the time she initially stepped away from tennis, her estimated pre-tax income from her professional career, which began in 1995, had reached nearly $450 million. This figure positioned her significantly ahead of other female athletes. Her off-court business ventures have also been thriving, with estimated earnings of $50 million before taxes and agent fees in the last 12 months. This pushes her lifetime earnings to approximately $620 million, and her net worth is estimated at $400 million, making her the world’s richest woman to have primarily earned her fortune as an athlete.
During her time away from the sport, Williams gave birth to her second child in 2023 and remained active with her business interests. She maintains ten long-term sponsorships and has expanded into speaking engagements, publishing children’s books, and establishing Nine Two Six Productions. Her investment firm, Serena Ventures, has funded numerous startups, including 16 unicorns by 2022, and she holds stakes in sports teams such as the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, and the Toronto Tempo in the WNBA. Williams is currently unranked in singles after her hiatus.
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Source: skysports.com
