When Serena Williams announced that she would be making her return to tennis, the sporting world was rocked.
After all, no matter her age or level, fans were guaranteed to flock just to get a glimpse of what real greatness looks like.
Selecting the grass-court season as the period to return was a wise move as she slowly reintegrated herself back into the WTA Tour, prioritising doubles in the end.
However, when the opportunity to play singles at Wimbledon emerged, she could hardly say no.
What did you make of Serena Williams’ level on her return to singles?
Serena Williams is OUT of the Wimbledon singles event…
Losing to Maya Joint in a hard-fought three-set affair was enough to satisfy most onlookers, but Serena Williams will demand much more of herself in the weeks and months to come if she does continue playing regularly.
Venus Williams, ahead of her return to action in Washington, has now offered her honest assessment of that match.
Venus Williams claims Serena Williams played ‘extraordinarily’ well at Wimbledon
Speaking to the press, Venus was unsurprisingly complimentary of her sister.
However, in praising the 23-time Grand Slam champion, she appeared to take aim at Joint for inexplicably raising her level before then failing to follow it up in the very next round.
Williams claimed: “She played stellar in that match. I think her level was so extraordinarily high. It was very unlucky. Sometimes you play players who are on fire, and they don’t seem to maintain that level afterwards. You’ll have to ask her what’s next, but she looks great.”
Joint has since stated how her win over Serena has already helped her, creating a memory she will never forget.
When is Venus Williams next playing?
Having entered both the singles and ladies’ doubles, it is set to be a busy week of action for the 45-year-old.
That being said, there was some confusion given that Venus Williams was initially due to play with Alex Eala, before inexplicably emerging on the draw as Diana Shnaider’s partner.
Alas, tennis moves on, and the American must refocus quickly.
She plays tomorrow in both the singles and the doubles.
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In the former, Williams has been dealt a tough draw, set to face Anastasia Potapova.
Meanwhile, in the doubles, she will clash against the unseeded pairing of Quinn Gleason and Ulrikke Eikeri.
