Martina Navratilova has urged Serena Williams to play singles matches ahead of a possible run at the US Open.
Williams was beaten by Maya Joint in her first round match at Wimbledon this year, having not competed in singles since 2022.
She had also planned to play doubles with Venus Williams, having played in the format at Queen’s and Berlin, but injury forced her out of the event.
The 44-year-old is now expected to continue her remarkable Grand Slam return at the US Open, ahead of which she has received advice from fellow WTA legend Navratilova.
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Martina Navratilova tells Serena Williams to play more singles matches before US Open
Asked on Tennis Channel if there is intrigue to see more of Williams based on her level at Wimbledon, Navratilova said: “Oh, most definitely.
“Movement is the only thing that I found lacking in Serena. And now with this US Open playing the mixed the week before, it’s perfect practice for maybe playing singles and/or doubles.
“So yeah, I think if she really wants to commit to that, maybe play a few matches before that. I still think she needs to play some singles before if she were to be serious about playing singles at the US Open.
“But the mixed we’ll see her for sure.”
And her fellow icon Jim Courier added: “She can get a wildcard anywhere she wants. Why not start with fellow NFL owner Mark Ein’s tournament at Washington, DC.
“Serena’s got a little piece of the [Miami] Dolphins, he’s got a piece of the [Washington] Commanders. So why not start there?
“Get it going early, that gives you kind of a… I mean, what I would suggest is play earlier in the summer, and then if you get hurt, it gives you a chance to recover.
“That’s a little bit of the risk/reward for her.”
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US Open currently preparing for Serena Williams return
The discussion began with Jon Wertheim sharing an update regarding the WTA icon and her possible appearance at the US Open.
He said of the veteran: “A big story here with a medium-sized conclusion was the return of Serena Williams.
“She, of course, lost in her first singles match in nearly four years, and then pulled out of the doubles with her sister, Venus, on account of a knee injury.
“The question now is, was this a one-off, or will we see more Serena? Well, the US Open is certainly planning on the latter.
“I’ve been told the US Open has received notice that Serena intends, if healthy, to enter the mixed doubles, the women’s doubles, and quite possibly the singles.
“That means draw slots and wildcards, but given Serena’s stature, that also means ticketing, security, scheduling.
“But the US Open is proceeding on the assumption that Serena Williams will be playing in one draw or another, or maybe three come late August.”
Williams last played singles at the US Open in 2022, where she fell in the third round to Ajla Tomljanovic, after which she took a lengthy break.
But she has made a stunning comeback at the age of 44, and will very likely be eager to achieve more success at her home Grand Slam.
The US Open returns to New York at the end of August, where the home favorite could very possibly play singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Williams boasts a stunning 23 Grand Slam singles titles, along with 14 in doubles and two in mixed doubles.
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