Serena Williams will silence Wimbledon critics amid claims the game has left 44-year-old behind

Serena Williams, the greatest female tennis player of all time, is returning for one last dance in London.

Williams was handed a wildcard and is confirmed to be making a comeback at Wimbledon this summer.

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The seven-time champion is going to be playing in the Women’s Singles event for the first time since 2022.

She has also accepted a wildcard to play in the Women’s Doubles draw, alongside her sister Venus.

Greg Rusedski told the last episode of talkSPORT’s Off Court Podcast that there are those on tour who doubt the 44-year-old’s ability to make an impact.

“She’s always been about the headlines, being a superstar, and to make a comeback, the announcement happening at Wimbledon makes it such a bigger deal,” he said.

“I think she’s gonna win a few matches. I don’t see her going deep in the second week, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the draw works out nicely for her to see her in the second week.

“Her serve has been firing brilliantly. She looks in great shape. And at 44 years young, you don’t come back to make up the numbers.

“But it’s gonna be interesting because I spoke to a few coaches on the WTA tour, and some of them are thinking, ‘Well, I’m not so sure she’s gonna do so well.’

“They’re thinking, ‘Okay, the game has moved on in four years. She’s 44 years of age’.

“But this has caused immense intrigue. And we talked about matchups. Imagine if she plays Emma Raducanu in the first round. I mean, that would be a story the British newspapers would love. Or she plays [Aryna] Sabalenka, who lost six love in a third to [Jessica Pegula] the previous work week.

“So all these interesting dynamics and a lot to talk about it. And the less we know about her singles, the more drama there is around the story.”

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Serena Williams dominated Wimbledon for years

Williams first tasted success at SW19 in 2002.

She then went back-to-back in 2003, before following that up with wins in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016.

In a September 2022 issue of Vogue, Serena announced her plans to “evolve away” from tennis after the 2022 US Open.

Her defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic at Flushing Meadows was the final time Williams played a competitive singles match.

The American has spoken of wanting her two daughters, Olympia and Adira, to see her compete.

Williams has played two doubles matches this month in the lead up to The Championships, including a victory at Queen’s alongside Victoria Mboko.

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Williams has Wimbledon demons to overcome

The dominance the American legend entertained the crowd with for over two decades on the grass gave way to a far more agonizing chapter.

Looking to add an eighth trophy to her cabinet in 2021, her opening-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich came to a sudden end when she suffered a hamstring injury after slipping on the rain-slicked Centre Court.

A tearful Williams was forced to retire just six games into the first set, leaving the court to a resounding standing ovation.

Entering the 2022 tournament after a lengthy injury recovery, she drew unseeded French player Harmony Tan in the opening round.

Under the Centre Court lights, the pair fought through an epic three-set battle before Williams fell in a final-set tiebreak.

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