Serena Williams is not expecting rainbows and unicorns when she steps onto Centre Court at Wimbledon for the first time in four years on Tuesday to start her comeback at age 44.

The seven-time champion at the All England Club said on Sunday that she might struggle to feel anything other than normal as she takes on Australian Maya Joint in the first round.

“The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was a late entry into the grasscourt major after making the decision to take up a wild card invitation only a week ago.

She was already entered in a dual comeback with her elder sister Venus in doubles.

Williams got a taste of the grass this month at Queen’s Club, where she won a round with teenaged Victoria Mboko before the youngster got injured and pulled out.

For Williams, another Wimbledon start will be just business as usual, with any emotion parked on the back burner.

“I can’t say I had a lot of emotions only because I was in Queen’s and it was in
London and on the grass.  I was, like, Oh, this is real, like I’m actually
playing again.

“I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks, kind of like riding a bike. I didnt feel a ton of stuff yet. Obviously when I play, I might have a lot of things (emotions) come up.”

Williams lost in the first round at her last two appearances here in 2021 and 2022, winning her last Wimbledon title a decade ago.

Her comeback decision became a reality last autumn when she rejoined the obligatory player antidoping pool, a sure hint that a return was on the cards.

“I  think my feelings will be different,” she said of the match against a player 24 years her junior.

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“In general my expectations are definitely different (lower) for the first time in my career. But I feel like I’m really going to enjoy being out there.”

Williams, a mother of two daughters and an entrepreneur plus a social and cultural figure, said that she has rebuilt a life outside of her sport since last competing.

“I don’t really look too much in the past. You would never know I was a professional athlete if you spent a day with me at home. 

“My trophies are not hidden, but they’re in a room that’s not crazy visible.

“I never really think too much about what Venus and I have done here. We do have memories sometimes. 

“I think most memories I’ve had were just mostly Olympic

memories in particular (London 2012), I don’t know why.”

The veteran said that nerves will surely affect her heading into the match with Joint.

“I expect to be nervous, I was nervous every single match I ever played in my life. I think that showed the passion and 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.I definitely expect to have those same feelings.”
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he American added that the wild card dangled in front of her was too tempting to refuse.

“It’s not every day Wimbledon holds a wild card for someone. I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again.This could be it.

“I was like, What’s wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this.

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

Main photo:- Wimbledon 2019 Simona Halep is congratulated by Serena Williams after she wins Ladies Singles Final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

Emma Raducanu’s Monday start at Wimbledon will be a last-minute decision after the British No. 1 revealed she is carrying a lower left injury which could preclude her participation.

Raducanu spelled out her options on Sunday in a quick-fire media conference: “I’m going to do everything with my team in terms of treatment; the plan right now, (is) to play.”

The 24-year-old who won the US Open five years ago from a qualifying start, said that playing into the Queen’s Club final a fortnight ago put a strain on her body after months of infrequent play due to illness and injury.

“I have a lower-leg niggle that I’ve been dealing with since before Queen’s. I’ve been managing it.

“Queen’s during that week, was a lot of load for me. Five matches after having not competed for a while.

“I had a great week at Queen’s. All I want to do is to keep building on that momentum.”

Raducanu said her injury struggle is as much mental as physical.

“It’s difficult waking up each day, not knowing how it’s going to be. Not knowing
whether you’re in or out causes lot of uncertainty.

“All I can do is my best every day. That’s what I’m doing. I’m putting everything I possibly can into each day. The people around me, they’re pushing me in
the right way.

“Keeping morale and spirits high is important as well. Even if you’re going through a difficult time, I think allowing yourself to have moments of joy when they do come through is important.”

Main photo:- Emma Raducanu practicing on Aorangi Park – by ISF Ltd

Wimbledon’s awarding of a singles wild card to retired former champion Serena Williams has turned the grass-court major into something of a laughingstock, with even the player herself saying she is far from ready for a return to the big stage.

The 44-year-old who played her last Tour match in 2022 before seeming to walk away at the US Open, has already received a doubles wild card along with her over-40 sister Venus.

Serena, a mother of two, has spent the last few years roaming the celebrity and society circuit far from the discipline of tennis.

She returned to doubles this month in Britain, winning a round with teenaged Victoria Mboko before the youngster was injured.  Her progress was stopped last week in Berlin with another doubles defeat.

Along the way, Williams has all but said she is not ready for prime time:”You think I’m ready for singles? I need to get to work,” she said when asked about her singles hopes.

The Wimbledon move was especially painful to Brits, with retiring ATP player Dan Evans refused wild cards for his farewell appearance at both Queen’s club and Wimbledon.

He is currently involved in Wimbledon qualifying which began on Monday.

2025 Queen’s Ladies Champion Maria was not given a wildcard in 2026 had to come through qualifying.

Williams, with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, last played Wimbledon in 2022, duplicating her first-round loss from the year before.

Her last win at the venue came in 2019, when she went on to lose the final to Simona Halep.

Main photo:- US Open 2022 Day 1 Serena Williams (USA) first round match of her final tournament by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd