Serena Williams began her comeback with a statement that few would have believed during heavily decorated playing career: ‘I don’t need to win’.
The 44-year-old will make her return to surprise return to competitive action at Queen’s this week alongside new doubles partner Victoria Mboko, but was adamant on Sunday afternoon that, having broken records as one of the best players in the history of the game, her second act will be purely for fun.
‘I’ve won more than most people have in their whole lives, so for me it’s that is not important to me, and it’s important that I keep reminding myself of that, because I don’t have anything to prove, I don’t have anything to lose, and everything here is just just a game,’ she said.
Citing her desire for her children to see her play, and suggesting that the timing of their school holidays was a factor in her return at the start of the grass season, Williams spoke of missing the atmosphere of the tour, and wanting to have a ‘different experience’ of its buzz with her family along for the ride.
But the 23-time Grand Slam champion did refuse to be drawn on playing singles in the near future, despite speculation of a Wimbledon wildcard to come.
‘This whole journey, I’m putting no pressure on myself,’ she continued. ‘I’ve had enough pressure.
Serena Williams has put no pressure on herself with her surprise return to competitive action
‘(Being) an athlete is the best thing you can be, in the highest place, and having an opportunity to still be able to possibly do that one last time is cool and exciting. I feel like I probably need to train a little bit more if I want to play singles, and we’ll see if I get there, and if not, that’s not my journey right now.’
Williams’ practice session with Mboko earlier in day, which she compared to ‘like riding a bike – up a hill’, told a similar story. With the pair keen to establish a good rapport as partners, there were laughs and high-fives between points, and Mboko revealed that the superstar is ‘a really funny girl’. Nonetheless, the ease with which Williams has returned to the court left her partner in awe.
‘She’s hitting great,’ Mboko confirmed. ‘I think she has such clean ball striking.
‘She could probably take like years off, and once she steps on the court, she could probably find that rhythm again, and find her timing.
‘I think that’s really a god-given gift she has, and I personally think she’s ready to go.’
Competitive action will tell the whole story when their tournament begins, weather permitting, on Tuesday. But for the rest of the draw, just the proximity of a legend back on tour provides its own special magic.
‘I think it’s an amazing inspiration, and I think for all of us to see her around is a really cool thing,’ British No 1 Emma Raducanu said. ‘She’s the greatest female tennis player of all time, and it’s just amazing to have her around and part of the part of the tour again.’
