Serena Williams looking forward to enjoyable and nervous return to Wimbledon

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams had doubts about accepting a wild card into this year’s ⁠singles draw but is now looking forward to enjoying her return to the All England Club.

The 44-year-old American will face Australia’s Maya Joint in the first round on Centre Court on Tuesday, marking her first appearance at Wimbledon since 2022, when she exited in ​the opening round.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, stepped away from the sport ‌later ‌that year but returned to competitive tennis this month.

“I think in ​general my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career,” Williams told reporters on Sunday in London.

“I feel like my feelings are just — not ⁠that I never enjoyed it before, or else I wouldn’t be here today — but I ⁠feel like I’m really going to enjoy being out there.”

Williams last played a competitive singles match at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she said ​she was “evolving away from tennis.” ⁠She will take on 53rd-ranked Joint, a 20-year-old who has won two WTA Tour titles, including a grass-court event at ⁠Eastbourne last year. Williams ​will also compete in the doubles draw, alongside her ​sister Venus.

“I expect to be nervous,” Williams said. “I was also nervous every single ​match ‌I ever played in my life.

“I think that showed the passion and the love and the care, that I cared about my job, whether it was the first round or the second round or the finals. ‌I’ve always had some nerves. But then I just dust ’em off, then I move on.”

Williams returned to action earlier this month after a four-year absence, playing doubles at Queen’s Club with Canada’s Victoria Mboko and also competing in Berlin.

Asked about her return and the ​message she ​hopes to send, the mother of two said she relished ​the opportunity to compete again.

“People live to be an athlete,” she said. “I have this great ⁠opportunity to showcase what I do, what I do best, I suppose.

“Yeah, I think ultimately I was like, that is pretty cool, so I should do it.

“I think there will be a message that I will ​think o, and I will learn also and I can spread. But as of now, I just think you have to believe in yourself and go for any dream, no matter how wild it may be.”

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