Serena Williams is set to make her Wimbledon return later this month.
The American icon, who made her return to tennis at the Queen’s Club Championships, has received a wildcard to play doubles alongside her sister, Venus.
Serena will continue her preparation for the Grand Slam event when she plays alongside Karolina Muchova in the Berlin Open Women’s Doubles event later today.
What do you think Serena Williams needs to do to make her comeback successful?
Serena has so far chosen to play with different partner at different events, rather than sticking with one partner for multiple tournaments.
One cannot help but wonder whether Serena will one day walk onto court alongside Coco Gauff.
Coco Gauff would say yes to Serena Williams if asked to play doubles
Gauff discussed Serena’s comeback while conducting her pre-tournament media duties at the Berlin Open.
Gauff, who will compete for the title alongside the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, was first asked to reveal her favourite memory of Serena.
“I think the first time I met her is my favourite memory,” Gauff stated, as shown in a Berlin Open Instagram post. “I met her in Florida, I was 10 years old I think and she needed a body double for her to play a younger version of her for a shoot.
“And I took a picture with her and just a moment that stuck and engraved in my memory.
“You just see someone on TV, you don’t feel like they’re real,” she added. “And then you see them in person, they’re real, and then you realise dreams are possible.”
Gauff was then asked to describe how she felt playing on the same courts as the 23-time major singles champion.
The American replied by stating her desire to play doubles with her legendary compatriot.
“It feels really cool,” she began.
“I would love to play on the same side as her and shooting my shot [laughs], but we’ll see. I don’t know.
How impressed were you with Serena Williams’ level?
A legendary return!
“If she asks, the answer is going to be yes.”
Gauff has never played doubles with Serena on the WTA Tour.
However, the 22-year-old has played alongside Serena’s sister, Venus.
All the way back in 2021, Venus and Gauff competed alongside each other at Roland Garros.
Ellen Perez and Saisai Zheng, the 13th seeds, defeated the American duo 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.
“I wasn’t expecting a yes, to be honest,” Gauff – who had reached out to Williams’ team shortly before the entry deadline – said prior to their first-round contest.
“It was worth the ask. I’m happy she said yes.”
Could Serena Williams and Coco Gauff play US Open doubles?
Serena and Coco are yet to form a doubles partnership. However, there is plenty of time for this to happen.
The perfect tournament for Serena and Coco to collaborate would be the US Open.
Pairing the greatest player of the last generation with the best American player of the current generation would be a fitting way for Serena to make her return to New York.
Serena last played US Open doubles in 2022.
The American, who was paired with her sister, lost in the first round to Lucie Hradecká and Linda Nosková.
Gauff has never played in the US Open women’s doubles event, but has competed in the mixed doubles event twice/
She reached the second round in 2018 while paired with compatriot Chris Eubanks.
In 2023, Gauff and Jack Sock were beaten in the first round by Alycia Parks and Denis Kudla.
