Novak Djokovic on Serena Williams’ comeback: ‘What she’s doing is truly inspirational’

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Serena Williams will make her tennis comeback beginning on June 30 in the women’s singles tournament at Wimbledon. Two days later she will take the court again in the doubles competition with sister Venus.

Nearly four years after playing her last match, the 44-year-old, 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner has impressed her colleagues in the tennis world.

“First and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her,” said Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner himself, including seven Wimbledon titles. “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.”

Williams, who received a wild card into Wimbledon, will face 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint, who was born when Williams had already claimed seven Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic said he has seen Williams, who last played in the 2022 U.S. Open, in the gym “more than I have seen her when she was at her prime,” proof that she’s fully engaged in this comeback.

“It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible,” Djokovic said. “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 it because she really deserves [to].”

Wimbledon No. 4 seed and fellow American Ben Shelton called it “insanely impressive,” while women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka, a three-time semifinalist at the All England Club, sees Williams’ return as something very good for the sport.

“It’s amazing what she’s doing. Also it’s Serena Williams, everyone was talking about that,” Sabalenka said. “She’s bringing more eyes on tennis. It’s a good thing for tennis. I’m really excited to see her play.”