Serena Williams’ comeback is ‘inspirational’: Novak Djokovic

Serena Williams will play singles at Wimbledon after accepting a wild-card invitation, the All England Club announced Sunday. The move comes after the 44-year-old Williams recently returned to competition in doubles after nearly four years away from professional tennis.

Novak Djokovic admitted that Serena Williams’ comeback has given him an added boost as he pursues a record-setting 25th Grand Slam title.

Williams, 44, will compete at Wimbledon for the first time in four years. In addition to her singles attempt, she’s also joining her older sister, Venus, in the women’s doubles competition.

“First and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her,” Djokovic, 39, said Saturday. “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.

“I told her that whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally, I’m sure for millions around the world.”

Like Williams, Djokovic is a seven-time winner at Wimbledon, most recently in 2022. Roger Federer holds the men’s record with eight titles at Wimbledon.

Seeded seventh, Djokovic will face China’s Wu Yibing on Monday at the All England Club.

Williams will face Australian Maya Joint in the first round at Wimbledon. It will be the first singles match for Williams since a third-round loss at the U.S. Open on Sept. 2, 2022.

“I see her in the gym more than I have seen her when she was at her prime,” Djokovic said. “It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible. 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 because she really deserves (to).”

The longtime World No. 1 received a wild-card entry at the All England Club, where she claimed the singles titles in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016.

Williams began her comeback with doubles matches earlier this month at the HSBC Championships in London and the Berlin Tennis Open.

If she defeats Joint, she could face No. 29 seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines in the second round and defending champion and No. 3 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland in the third round.

Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam singles titles are the most by a male player. The Serbian is tied with Margaret Court for the all-time record.

--Field Level Media