LONDON : Serena Williams’ first singles match at Wimbledon in four years is certain to deliver “sporting theatre” regardless of the result, former British number one Johanna Konta said ahead of the American’s highly anticipated return on Tuesday.
Williams, a seven-times Wimbledon singles champion and winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, will face Australia’s Maya Joint on Centre Court after receiving a wildcard from the All England Club.
The 44-year-old, who has not played singles at Wimbledon since her first-round exit in 2022, returns to the tournament where she made her debut in 1998 and won her most recent title a decade ago.
“The thing is, she always brought so much theatre to playing,” Konta, now part of Eurosport’s commentary team, told Reuters.
“When you watch Serena, you weren’t just watching someone hit tennis balls, you were watching a performance.
“She’s a performer through and through, and she lives for the big stage. She embodies the big moments.”
Williams is two victories away from reaching 100 singles match wins at Wimbledon, adding another potential milestone to one of the most decorated careers in tennis.
Konta, who shared a 1-1 career record against Williams, believes the American’s natural ability will remain intact despite her lengthy absence from singles competition.
“I’m so interested to see what level she will come back playing at,” Konta said.
“I think there are certain God-given talents that will take a long, long time for them to fade.
“Her ball striking, her timing of the ball is something else. The things that she’s able to control, the serve and things like that. I think she will look a lot sharper than maybe you’d expect.”
Konta said Williams’ movement would be the biggest unknown against a younger generation of powerful opponents.
“What we want to see on the singles court is just how her movement is. How is she able to cover the court?” she said.
The former world number four also suggested many of the tournament’s leading players would have preferred to avoid facing Williams in the opening round.
“I don’t think anyone really wants to be her first match back because I do think it also puts a little pressure on current players,” Konta said.
“It’s a chance to see her play before they play her themselves.”
Williams last won a singles match at Wimbledon in 2019, when she reached the final before losing to Simona Halep. She was beaten in the first round as a wildcard by Harmony Tan on her previous appearance in 2022.
