Twenty-three-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will make her highly anticipated singles return at Wimbledon on Wednesday against emerging Australian player Maya Joint on Centre Court.
Williams downplayed expectations for her unlikeliest comeback, almost four years after losing her last singles match at the 2022 US Open, asserting she has nothing to prove and does not need to win.
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Former US Open champion Sam Stosur expressed skepticism regarding Williams' relaxed public narrative, noting that a champion of her caliber enters tournaments with a competitive mindset.
"She wouldn't have gone about this decision lightly, I'm sure, and I'm pretty certain, being the champion that she is, she's not there just to make up the numbers," said Stosur.
Stosur added that the American tennis legend likely believes she can still perform well at the All England Club.
"She's going into this, I think, believing she can win matches and do well," said Stosur.
Williams revealed that her decision to accept a singles wildcard at Wimbledon was made at the last minute, expressing ongoing uncertainty about her return.
"I wasn't sure up until then. Honestly, I'm still not even sure, but we'll see," said Williams.
Williams acknowledged her 20-year-old opponent, noting she had reviewed some footage of Joint before addressing the matchup.
"I'm sure she knows my game," said Williams.
Joint, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 28 in February but has dropped 13 of her last 14 matches due to injuries, described Williams as a mythical figure.
