By Martyn Herman
LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic confirmed that Serena Williams is hitting the gym harder than ever ahead of her eagerly awaited Wimbledon return as he led the praise for the 44-year-old American icon on Saturday.
The imminent Williams comeback after a four-year absence created a buzz around the All England Club grounds on Saturday, with players excited by the reappearance of the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.
“I see her in the gym more than I have, I think, seen her when she was at her prime,” Djokovic, who will be chasing an all-time record 25th Grand Slam singles title, told reporters.
“It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible.”
While seventh seed Djokovic is 39, it would surprise no one if the Serbian makes a deep run over the next fortnight as he targets an eighth Wimbledon title.
Williams, on the other hand, has not played a competitive singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open. Should she win an eighth Wimbledon singles crown it would go down as one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time.
Djokovic was asked what he said to Williams when he bumped into her at the All England Club this week.
“First and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her. I always admired her career, her journey, her story. Of course, Venus’ as well,” said Djokovic, who plays China’s Wu Yibing in the first round.
“It’s admirable, honestly, the effort she’s putting in. Of course, all eyes are on her, her comeback. I just hope she will enjoy because she really deserves. She created something historical, legendary in her career.
“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 — in singles as well as doubles — is remarkable.
“I told her that whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally, and I’m sure for millions around the world.”
Williams’ fellow American Ben Shelton echoed Djokovic’s praise when asked about the comeback that has gripped the tennis world and beyond.
“Seeing her out here, as focused as she is, really going for it at 44 years old is insanely impressive, obviously one of the biggest icons in sports history, not just tennis,” he said.
For newly crowned French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, this is the first Grand Slam she has played with Williams also in the draw — and she was glad it is Australian Maya Joint who will face her on Tuesday rather than herself.
“I would never think I would actually play the same tournament as her,” the 19-year-old Russian said.
“When I arrived on site and I was warming up for my practice, they were doing the draw ceremony, I was watching like this (nervously) because I don’t think anyone in the draw would have wanted to play against Serena.
“I’m going to speak for myself. I wouldn’t want to play against Serena. I would be just very nervous.
“I just think that it’s amazing that she came back.”
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
