Boris Becker believes that Serena Williams’ return to tennis was motivated by an ‘unhappiness’ over her last Wimbledon match in 2022. Williams will play her first singles match in almost four years on Tuesday when she takes on Australia’s Maya Joint on Centre Court. The 44-year-old, who has won 23 Grand Slam titles, played her last singles match at the US Open in 2022 in what was widely believed to be the final match of her career.
Becker's Insight on Williams' Motivation
But after almost four years away from the sport, Williams made her return to professional tennis in the Queen’s doubles earlier in the month before accepting two wildcards from Wimbledon. Alongside her singles return, Williams is also competing in the women’s doubles with her sister Venus, 45. Former Wimbledon champion Becker believes that Williams’ decision to return to competition is in large part because of her last match on Centre Court back in 2022: a disappointing three-set loss to France’s Harmony Tan.
Writing in The Telegraph, Becker explained: ‘I had heard, from a few contacts of mine, that Serena had been unhappy with her parting appearance at Wimbledon four years ago. ‘In what we thought was her final match here, she ran into Harmony Tan, a French slice-and-dice merchant who dinked the ball around and made her look heavy-footed. ‘That is not the way Serena wanted to go out on Centre Court: the same Centre Court where she won seven singles titles, another seven doubles titles and an Olympic gold medal to boot.’
Becker's Confidence in Williams' Start
And despite her lengthy time away from the court, Becker is confident that Williams can get off to a winning start in SW19 against World No.87 Joint. ‘This is a promising draw for Serena,’ Becker said. ‘Joint is known to be a quiet and reserved person, and there must be questions about whether she can handle the attention, and the pressure, of taking on a living legend on such a big stage. ‘Wimbledon’s Centre Court is unlike any other court in the world. The crowd feels like it is right on top of you. Winning matches here is not about having the better forehand; it is about being comfortable with the occasion. ‘You either thrive on Centre Court or you disappear, because it brings out the best or the worst in people. Serena’s record shows that she was in the first camp. ‘I feel like it will be a real challenge for Joint. Serena cuts an intimidating figure. She has an aura, which is something you cannot teach. When she enters a room, everyone can feel the energy she projects.’
Williams' Own Perspective
Williams, meanwhile, was not keen to put too much expectation on her shoulders in what will be her first professional singles contest in 1,396 days. ‘It’s nothing too new, and at the same time it’s everything new,’ she told the BBC. ‘Change is good. ‘Success [for me] is just walking out there. I never expected to be here. Success is enjoying myself and sticking to my gameplan that my coach gives me, being disciplined – and that’s what I’m trying to do.’
Joint's Reaction
Joint, meanwhile, is relishing the opportunity to take on the legendary American, saying pre-tournament: ‘It’s an honour. I always dreamed about playing Serena Williams. ‘If you told me 10 years ago that I’d be playing her first round at Wimbledon, that’s just crazy. ‘You just have to play the ball. You can’t really think about who you are playing because I’ll just get too nervous. I’ll just take it one ball at a time.’
