Serena Williams Wimbledon return: Novak Djokovic calls it ‘epic’; Aryna Sabalenka also in awe | Tennis News
Wimbledon Times of India: Orange Park is always bustling in the days leading up to Wimbledon, but on Saturday, with temperatures soaring into the 30s, every camera and eye seemed to be focused on one person. Then, when she finally stepped onto the court 30 minutes after her scheduled practice time, the conversation paused and her phone rose into the air to capture the moment. The Queen of Center Court has just arrived on the grass.Even for experienced eyes, seeing Serena up close is a mesmerizing sight. What stood out was not any single feature, but her presence itself, an aura that dwarfed the stage and everyone around her.The 44-year-old, noticeably slimmer than when she retired from tennis four years ago, has pieced together her return with meticulous attention to detail. On the court, Serena starts slow and quickly picks up the pace like a well-tuned engine ready to rev. Over the next eighty minutes, she demonstrated her full repertoire: forehand, backhand, one-handed slice, low volley, deft collection and solid serve. The only thing missing is trademark rights, which she’ll probably keep for game day.On the court were two of her coaches: Jarmere Jenkins, her former hitting partner, and Rennae Stubbs. Waiting on the sidelines were physical therapist Federica Scalabrino, fitness trainer Derick Pierson and, watching from a distance, her longtime agent Jill Smoller.What matters is not the cast of characters, but their meaning. This return was not a whim. Serena is back with a purpose, perhaps so her kids can watch her fly at full speed, but the rest of the tour has been warned.Seven-time champion Serena has not played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open. Now, she carries a wildcard and will start her campaign against the Australian Mayans United on Tuesday. If she can overcome the 20-year-old world No. 1. The 53-year-old could next meet No. 29 seed, popular Filipino Alexandra Eala, and could clash with defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round.The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s impact on the game goes far beyond results or rankings. From her fearless shot selection and refusal to be influenced by outside voices, to her bold, flamboyant fashion, she shaped the game of tennis on every level. Her presence resonates throughout the movement in ways that cannot be captured in numbers alone, but those numbers nonetheless reflect her dominance over every generation.World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said Serena’s return brought more attention to the sport. “This is Serena Williams and everyone is talking about this,” she said.Novak Djokovic “Epic” is one word to describe Serena’s effort. “For her to be back after having two kids is just amazing. I told her that what she was doing was really inspiring to me personally and I’m sure to millions of people around the world,” he said, adding, “I see her in the gym more than I did in her prime. “After the birth of her second daughter, Serena struggled to lose weight despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Last year, she revealed that she had lost 31 pounds by taking the GLP-1 diet pill. The revelation divided fans, but the 44-year-old was simply doing what was right for her body.In many ways, her return at Wimbledon feels less like a return and more like the continuation of a story that never quite went away. The stage is the same, the spotlight is familiar, but now the backdrop is different, shaped by time, motherhood and perspective. And just like that, the show went on.
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