The return of Serena Williams at 44 years of age animates the WTA circuit: the debate is open

After three doubles matches as a shoot, Serena Williams She has had enough to end the speculation and decide that she is ready to compete in singles at 44 years old, the most shocking news in recent years in women’s tennis.

Wimbledon announced that it has granted an invitation to the winner of 23 Grand Slam titles and, obviously, the level that the American can reach in her return to the elite is already centering the debate at the gates of the tournament with the greatest pedigree.

“If she comes back it’s not to be an average player, that doesn’t suit her. No, it doesn’t make sense, but she’s Serena, she’s already done incredible things in the past, nothing is impossible for Serena,” he said. Patrick MouratoglouWilliams’ coach during a decade of plenitude (2012-2022).

Without world ranking due to his four years of absence in the WTA circuitthe American will be a loose ‘bomb’ in the draw, both for herself and for the rest of the tennis players because Serena could be the rival of any favorite, including the world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka.

“He seems to be in top shape, but the real test will be when he plays his first match. How will he be? Can you imagine if he faces Sabalenka?” asked the former player. Greg Rusedski.

Serena and Venusthe Williams sistersthe two former world numbers 1 and endowed with extraordinary physical strength, especially Serena, revolutionized women’s tennis with the arrival of the new century and the stubbornness of their father, Richard Williamswho, convinced that his daughters were two diamonds in the rough who would dominate tennis, broke all the canons established as a coach to sponsor and launch their careers into stardom.

Venus, the oldest, won seven Grand Slams, five in Wimbledon and two in the US Openand played nine other finals, seven of them lost against Serena, who far surpassed her older sister’s marks by retiring with 23 ‘grands’ and staying one away from the absolute record of Margaret Court (24). Age, injuries and motherhood conditioned and frustrated that historic persecution.

The US Open was the tournament where he achieved the most victories in his career (107) since he beat Nicole Pratt in his debut in 1998. Then he was only 17 years old and he was aiming so high that a year later he won the first of his 23 Grand Slams, the first in New York in 1999 and the last one in Australian Open (2017), where he reigned seven times, like at Wimbledon.

Six titles of US Open and three Roland Garros They completed their 23 ‘big’ singles, but they also won 14 in doubles with Venus and two in mixed doubles for a total of 39.

Serena was a four-time Olympic champion (one single gold, three in doubles) and five-time champion of the Masters. In total, she won 73 WTA individual titles and 858 matches out of 1,014 played, almost 85% success. Williams currently combines her businesses with family life with her husband, Alexis Ohanianwith whom she has had two daughters: Olympia and Adira River.

Williams has not competed in singles since she lost against the Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the 3rd round of the 2022 US Open. Almost four years later, a new chapter opens the end of which is unknown.