Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 09: Serena Williams of the United States cools down between sets during her Ladies’ Singles fourth round match against Evgeniya Rodina of Russia on day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 9, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 09: Serena Williams of the United States cools down between sets during her Ladies’ Singles fourth round match against Evgeniya Rodina of Russia on day seven of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 9, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Serena Williams has excited tennis fans around the world after announcing a return to Wimbledon this month. The former World No. 1 will also feature in doubles action at Eastbourne, before making her way to London for the Championships.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Williams will partner Ons Jabeur, the new Berlin Open champion in the doubles draw, before her return to action since her first-round injury in 2021 at SW19. The 23-time Grand Slam winner has been absent for nearly a year as she turns 41 this year.
Serena Williams cancels Eastbourne practice session
The former World No.1 was scheduled to practice at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park. However, she canceled the session with her first doubles match on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Jabeur arrived from Berlin after her successful title win on Sunday.
At Eastbourne. Just been told that Serena Williams has cancelled her practice for today, according to the tournament she is 'having the day off'.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) June 20, 2022
According to the tournament, Serena is ‘having the day off’. The American has won seven Championships with 6 titles in doubles at SW19. Meanwhile, Jabeur has withdrawn from the singles draw this week but will play her first match alongside Serena.
In a press conference, Jabeur said: “I cannot wait to see her, I haven’t seen her yet. Hopefully we will get together and talk a little bit and see. Because I’m really pumped, I want to win this doubles and why not win the title here, you know?”
Serena and Jabeur are likely to meet Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo in their opening encounter at Eastbourne.
Will Serena have her ‘Last Dance’?
The 23-time Grand Slam winner has been the most dominant player for over two decades. Serena has played a level above the rest culminating in numerous trophies and a World No.1 ranking for 319 weeks. With the all-time record set by great Margaret Court at 24 Slams, Williams is one short of claiming the elusive record.
Getty
LONDON – JULY 3: Maria Sharapova of Russia poses with her trophy after she won against Serena Williams of USA (R) in the ladies final match at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on July 3, 2004 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in LondonSharapova won 6-1 6-4. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Watch this story: Top Five Best Serena Williams Outfits of All Time
However, she has reached Grand Slam finals since her last major victory in 2017 but has failed to equal the long-standing record in tennis. With her return at 40 this month, could she do the unthinkable and win another Grand Slam before calling it a day?
