Kim Clijsters reveals Serena Williams’ toughest challenge in comeback

Kim Clijsters believes Serena Williams’ biggest challenge in a potential comeback would be rediscovering rhythm on her most important shot.

Rumours of a possible return to professional tennis for Serena Williams have intensified after the 23-time Grand Slam champion was seen training with top-100 player Alycia Parks.

Williams recently re-entered the anti-doping testing pool, meaning she would be eligible to compete again on the WTA Tour if she decides to make a comeback. But former rival Kim Clijsters believes one particular part of her game could be difficult to rediscover after time away.

Clijsters says the serve would be the toughest shot to regain

Speaking on the Love All podcast, Clijsters explained that returning players often struggle most with the serve after a long break from competition.

“I can speak with a little bit of experience there,” she said. “The serve is the hardest shot, when you’ve been out of the game for a while, to get the shoulder loose and get that rhythm back.”

The observation is notable given that Williams’ serve has historically been considered one of the most dominant weapons in women’s tennis.

During her remarkable 2013 season — when she won 11 titles and lost just four matches — Williams led the WTA Tour in aces with 480 and also ranked first in total service points won (65.8%). She also captured a remarkable 84.1% of her service games that year.

Even fellow legend Steffi Graf once described the American’s delivery as the greatest serving weapon the women’s game had ever seen.

“That’s the biggest weapon out there, for sure,” Graf told BBC Sport in 2015. “I think that’s the biggest weapon there has ever been in the sport.”

Training with Alycia Parks provides a useful test

Clijsters also reacted to footage showing Williams practising with Parks, noting that the session offered a valuable benchmark for the former world number one.

“It was really nice to see them both playing together,” she said. “Whenever I watch Alycia Parks on the tennis court, she just reminds me of Serena.”

Clijsters pointed to similarities in Parks’ aggressive style, including her forehand, backhand and even her reactions between points.

She also suggested that practising against an active tour player gives Williams a useful measure of where her game currently stands.

“A good test, I think, for Serena, to be able to play against a current player who is playing well and competing against the best players today,” she explained.

Clijsters and Williams know each other’s games well after facing off nine times between 1999 and 2009, with Williams winning seven of those encounters.

When could Serena Williams return?

For now, a comeback remains uncertain. Williams has not confirmed any plans to return to competitive tennis.

Speculation previously linked her with appearances at events such as the ATX Open or Indian Wells, but neither materialised.

The most plausible scenario would be a return later in the season at the US Open in New York — the tournament where Williams has historically thrived and where she played her final match in 2022.

If a comeback does happen, the 2026 US Open, which begins on August 30, could provide the perfect stage for one of tennis’s most iconic champions to return.

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