Serena Williams’ comeback continues this week, as she prepares to play another doubles event, this time in Berlin.
After all, having made a winning return to tennis alongside Victoria Mboko in Queen’s, the terrible injury to the Canadian talent saw their run in this event cut painfully short.
It was a devastating way for their partnership to end, particularly given how well they played against the number three seeds in that match.
Whilst it is just great to see Serena Williams back on the court in any capacity, many are still wondering whether there might be more to come from this legendary American.
Tracy Austin and Chanda Rubin certainly hope so.
Tracy Austin wants to know if Serena Williams plans to play singles
Speaking on Tennis Channel yesterday following the conclusion of the women’s singles Queen’s Club final, they looked back on what had been an enthralling week of tennis in London.
They could not mention the action without referencing Williams, with Austin claiming: “Yeah, one match can really settle you after being off almost four years, and she’ll be playing with Muchova, a top 10 player in singles, and they play Giuliana Olmos, and Erin Routliffe again. Erin Routliffe must be saying, Are you kidding me? I’ve got to play Serena again.
Who would you like to see Serena Williams play doubles with if she returns?
“So the 23-time major champion is back for doubles, and I think the question mark is still, will she play singles in any of these events? Will she feel like she’s moving well enough, competing well enough to take it to the singles court?”
Rubin responded by adding: “Yeah, she hasn’t given us any indicators as of yet, but, you know, certainly her mindset, you can understand it. She is not thinking about the winning and losing. She’s here for her own reasons to enjoy it. She’s also talked about her daughters wanting them to see her in her element.
“So we take a look at the Queen’s reign, 23 major titles. That’s just in singles alone.”
Austin was more than happy to complete that sparkling resume: “14 in doubles with her sister, Venus, two in mixed doubles, as well. Not much that Serena hasn’t done: three gold medals in doubles, one in singles. That was in London, at Wimbledon, 2012. Held all four majors twice, not in the same year, over a couple of years, but that is so dominant, and third most among men and women with so many wins.”
Karolina Muchova has spoken about playing with Serena Williams already, as her latest partner.
How Erin Routliffe reacted to being told she’d be playing Serena Williams again
As Austin mentions, Williams’ next opponents have already been revealed for her return to action in Berlin, one of which will be a familiar face.
Routliffe has actually spoken about the prospect of having to face the legendary 23-time major champion again, laughing as she admitted: “I was kind of like, wow, I can’t believe it!
How impressed were you with Serena Williams’ level?
A legendary return!
“To get another chance is exciting; we’re both with different partners. I’m sure she’ll remember me (laughs), so she’ll have a little more scouting going into it this time. But to be honest, yeah I couldn’t believe it!”
Williams won their latest meeting in Queen’s by a 7-6, 6-2 scoreline.
