Serena Williams’ Wimbledon return: Novak Djokovic calls it ‘epic’; Aryna Sabalenka also amazed Tennis news
The Times of India at Wimbledon: Aorangi Park is always buzzing in the days leading up to Wimbledon, but on Saturday, as the temperature reached 30 degrees, every camera lens and pair of eyes seemed to be fixed on a person. Then, when he finally arrived on the court, 30 minutes past his scheduled practice time, conversations paused and phones were raised in the air to capture the moment. The Queen of Center Court had just arrived on the grass.Serena up close is a fascinating sight, even for experienced eyes. It is not a single characteristic that stands out, but his very presence, an aura that dwarfs the stage and all those around him.The 44-year-old, noticeably thinner than when she retired from tennis nearly four years ago, has put together this comeback with meticulous care for detail. On the court, Serena started slowly before quickly picking up the pace, like a well-tuned engine ready to rev. Over the next eighty minutes he showed his full range: forehand, backhand, one-handed slice, low volleys, deft put-aways, and a solid serve. The only thing missing was the power of the brand, which could be saved for the day of the match.On the court were his two coaches, Jarmere Jenkins, once his hitting partner, and Rennae Stubbs. Waiting in the wings was physicist Federica Scalabrino, fitness trainer Derick Pierson and, watching from a distance, his long-time agent Jill Smoller.It’s not so much the cast of characters that matters, but what they mean. This return is not a whim. Serena returned with the intention, perhaps for her children to watch her in full flight, but the rest of the tour was warned.Serena, the seven-time champion here, has not played a singles match since the 2022 US Open. Now armed with a wildcard, she will open her campaign against Australia’s Maya Joint on Tuesday. If she surpasses the 20-year-old world number 53, she could next meet top-seeded Filipina Alexandra Eala, the 29th seed, with a potential third-round clash against defending champion Iga Swiatek standing further ahead.The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s influence on the game extends far beyond results or rankings. From her fearless shot selection and refusal to be swayed by outside voices, to her bold and statement fashion, she has shaped tennis at every level. His presence resonates throughout the sport in ways that cannot be captured by numbers alone, but those numbers still reflect his dominance against each generation.World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka says Serena’s return has brought more eyes to the sport. “It’s Serena Williams, everyone’s talking about her,” he said.Novak Djokovic used the word “epic” to describe Serena’s effort. “For her to come back after two children is remarkable. I told her what she does is really inspiring for me personally and I’m sure for millions around the world,” he said, adding: “I see her in the gym more than I saw her when she was in her prime.”After the birth of her second daughter, Serena struggled to lose the pregnancy weight despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Last year he revealed that he had lost 31 pounds by incorporating the weight loss medication GLP-1. The disclosure divided opinion among fans, but the 44-year-old did only what felt good for her body.In many ways, her return to Wimbledon feels less like a comeback and more like the continuation of a story that has never fully unfolded. The stage is the same, the familiar focus, but the context is different now, shaped by time, motherhood and perspective. And so, the show goes on.
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