Serena Williams has excited tennis fans around the world after announcing her return to Wimbledon this month. The former world number one will also appear in the doubles event in Eastbourne, before making her way to London for the tournaments.
Williams will partner Ons Jabeur, the new Berlin Open champion in the doubles draw, before her return to action since her first-round injury in 2021 at SW19. The 23-time Grand Slam winner has been absent for nearly a year as she turns 41 this year.
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Serena Williams cancels Eastbourne training session
The former World No. 1 player was scheduled to practice at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne. However, she canceled the session with her first match on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Jaber arrived from Berlin after successfully winning the title on Sunday.
in Eastbourne. Serena Williams has just been said to have canceled her training for the day, according to the championship she is on vacation.
– Mike Dixon (@Mike_Dickson_DM) June 20 2022
according to Competition, Serena is a “day off”. The American won seven championships with 6 titles in doubles at SW19. Meanwhile, Jaber withdrew from this week’s singles draw but will play her first match alongside Serena.
Jaber said at a press conference: “I can’t wait to see her, I haven’t seen her yet. Hopefully we can get together and talk a little and see. Because I’m really surprised, I want to win this doubles and why not win the title here, you know?”
Serena and Jaber are likely to meet Marie Bozkova and Sarah Sorribes-Turmo for their opening encounter in Eastbourne.
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Is Serena her last dance?
The 23-time Grand Slam winner has been the most dominant player in over two decades. Serena played a level above the rest and peaked with multiple titles and a #1 ranking in the world for 319 weeks. With the great Margaret Court’s record of 24 slams, Williams is less than elusive.
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However, she has reached the Grand Slam finals since her last major win in 2017 but failed to equal the long-standing record in tennis. With her 40-year-old back this month, can she do the unthinkable and win the Grand Slam again before she ever calls her?