Serena Williams is back at Wimbledon and looking to make her mark once more, perhaps for the final time.
Tennis fans could be forgiven for thinking that farewell arrived in 2022, when Williams lost to Harmony Tan in her opening match of the tournament.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also played at the US Open that year, but followed that by taking a break of almost four years.
How far will Serena Williams go in Wimbledon singles?
The 44-year-old has received a wildcard…
Williams has since returned, playing doubles at Queen’s and Berlin, and will continue that trend at Wimbledon.
The 44-year-old is also playing singles at the All England Club, ahead of which WTA player Danielle Collins has shared her verdict on her fellow American.
Danielle Collins’ hot take on Serena Williams ahead of Wimbledon return
Speaking on The Big T podcast, Collins said: “Yeah, my hot take is I don’t think Serena’s out to prove anything to anyone. I think this is more about doing what she loves.
“I think she’s going into this, not with a ton of pressure. I mean, I think all of us in the tennis world agree that she’s the one with the record holder for Grand Slams won, not Margaret Court.
“I do not consider Margaret Court’s Grand Slam count to be something that I honestly take quite seriously, because, first of all, when Margaret Court won a lot of those Australian Opens, the draw size was 32, and there were only maybe three or four foreign players going over and competing in the Australian Open at that time.
“The Australian Open was a very different tournament, and during that time, it’s not comparable, so I think anybody that knows anything about tennis and has been in this world knows that Serena is the record holder and that that stat is really just a distraction away from everything that she has achieved and being the greatest of all time.
“So I think for Serena, she’s going out looking to have fun, getting to enjoy what she loves again, getting to take the court with her sister.
“And, you know, just bring all of her tennis fans some joy. I mean, I think we’re all excited about seeing her out on court, and yeah, whatever ends up happening as a Serena fan, I’m okay with.”
Serena Williams warned she must be ‘careful’ at Wimbledon
Also sharing a verdict on the 44-year-old ahead of her comeback in London, her former coach Rick Macci has issued a warning to Williams.
He wrote on X in his typical style: “Serena has to be careful in and out of the corners as the grass early on besides quick will be slick.
“The movement patterns and timing the split step from not competing in four years creates tentative inner fears.
“With the slippery spots all around she does not want to fall and tumble on the All England ground. Her movement 100% is the key to any Serena victory.”
It will undoubtedly take Williams time to get used to the courts at Wimbledon, although she has already arrived at the All England Club in a bid to do exactly that.
The veteran must also be prepared to deal with the heat in London, particularly if she plans on lengthy singles and doubles ventures.
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