Serena Williams is set to compete at Wimbledon once again, a venue synonymous with her storied career. The American tennis icon, who has won a combined 12 Wimbledon singles and doubles titles with her sister Venus between 2000 and 2016, has been awarded a wildcard for this year's tournament.
Williams, who has not played at Wimbledon since 2016, acknowledged the rarity of receiving a wildcard at this stage of her career. "It's not every day Wimbledon holds a wildcard for someone. I happened to be one of them," she stated. "I thought, 'I should really take this opportunity.' Who knows if I'll ever make it here again? This could be it."
Her return raises questions about her physical readiness, particularly regarding the effects of age on her game. While acknowledging potential challenges such as being "half a step slower out of the corners of the court" and needing to "conserve more energy the longer a match goes on," Williams is embracing the opportunity to showcase her abilities.
David Quayle, Williams' hitting partner who assisted in her preparation for a recent doubles match, described the experience of facing her as unique. "It's hard sometimes not to feel a little bit nervous around Williams," Quayle told BBC Sport. "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. You're fighting between admiring some of the shots and actually playing them. She's got that kind of aura."
Williams and her sister Venus will also team up for the women's doubles, a partnership that has yielded six Wimbledon titles. Their combined history at the tournament is extensive, with at least one sister reaching nearly every singles final between 2000 and 2016. The sisters honed their skills on the practice courts in Compton, California, developing a deep understanding of each other's games.
The Williams sisters are celebrated for their powerful serves, athleticism, and net play on grass courts, becoming iconic figures at Wimbledon.