Novak Djokovic has heaped praise on Serena Williams for her spectacular return to tennis at age 44. Williams returned to the court during the grass-court swing, competing in both singles and doubles events.
Novak Djokovic Hails Serena Williams’ Return to Tennis
Williams made her doubles comeback at the HSBC Championships, winning her first match back alongside Victoria Mboko. After competing in doubles at the Berlin Tennis Open, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion accepted wildcards for both the singles and doubles at the Wimbledon Championships.
However, Williams suffered a knee injury during her first-round loss against Maya Joint in singles and wasn’t able to team up with her sister, Venus, in the doubles event.
Williams’ comeback and failure to win her singles match drew much criticism, as some in the tennis community claimed she was taking a spot from a younger talent. However, Djokovic lent his full support to the legend and backed her comeback bid.
“Let’s enjoy who she is, what she has achieved. What she is doing now after having two children and after being away from professional tennis for so many years is a gift for us, for anyone who loves tennis, anyone who admires Serena and her legacy,” Djokovic said during his appearance on CBS Mornings on Friday.
Djokovic also drew parallels between Williams and himself and highlighted how much effort it can be to play at the top level of sport at that age when you have already accomplished so much.
“Whatever happens doesn’t matter. It’s already epic. It’s what I told her personally, and it’s what I honestly feel in my heart. I want her to feel happy and joyful on the court. Because in a sense, I know how it feels, still trying to push at that age when you have achieved everything you possibly can. Looking at her being on the court is already a sight for the eyes,” he added.
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Williams is now undergoing rehab on her injured knee and has yet to reveal her plans for the future. Speculation persists that she could be in the field for the US Open. Some even believe she could partner with Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles event.
Williams, a nine-time US Open champion across categories, proved at Wimbledon that she is still one of the biggest draws in tennis. And fans would certainly love to see her back in action at Flushing Meadows this year, four years on from her previous appearance at the US Open.
