Serena Williams will officially resume her singles career at Wimbledon on Tuesday, and that means she has officially resumed her war with Father Time. The American sports icon won her 23rd Grand Slam at the 2017 Australian Open, defeating her sister, longtime doubles partner and fellow legend Venus Williams at 35 years of age. Now, following a near-four-year retirement, she will try to redefine how longevity is viewed in women’s tennis. Novak Djokovic is doing the same on the men’s side.
Therefore, he has genuine appreciation for what Williams is pursuing at the All England Club.
“First and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her,” Djokovic said of his fellow all-time great and seven-time Wimbledon singles champ, via ESPN. “I always admired her career, her journey, her story. Of course, Venus’ as well.
“For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort to, not just for her own satisfaction or coming back on the tour, but also to give all of us a pleasure of seeing her back on the court is remarkable.”
Serena Williams aims to defy logic
Djokovic, who is seeking his 25th career major title, understands the mental and physical sacrifice required to compete with and conquer players who are half his age. He also recognizes the additional effort needed to accomplish all that after a lengthy layoff and multiple child births. Although their journeys are obviously different, Williams should use the sensational Serbian as a source of inspiration during this comeback quest.
Few athletes have displayed more mental fortitude than Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams will need to fully embody that trait in order to enjoy a successful run this summer. She already possesses plenty of strength, however. One does not just return to this incredibly demanding sport without making a firm commitment.
“I see her in the gym more than I have seen her when she was at her prime,” Djokovic said. “It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible. It’s admirable, honestly, the effort she’s putting in. Of course, all eyes are on her, her comeback. I just hope that she will enjoy because she really deserves [to].”
Williams remains one Grand Slam win away from all-time leader Margaret Court. Closing the gap at this stage is incomprehensible, but a multitude of people will be tuning in to see her try.
After being granted entry via a wild card, the 44-year-old will face 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the first round of Wimbledon. She will also compete with Venus Williams in women’s doubles, beginning on Thursday.
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