Anticipation is building at Wimbledon for Serena Williams’ first singles match in nearly four years. The 44-year-old Williams is scheduled to play an opponent less than half her age, 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia, in the third match Tuesday on Centre Court — the patch of grass where the American standout won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Wimbledon organizers took the unusual step of holding up an eighth and final wild card spot for Williams until she accepted the invitation at almost the last possible moment the weekend before qualifying began.
Williams’ Impact on the Sport
“She is such an icon of the sport and particularly here at the championship she’s one of our most special champions,” said Sally Bolton, the chief executive of the All England Club. “So it really will be the ticket to have tomorrow when she walks back on Centre Court.”
Williams will also play doubles with older sister Venus Williams later in the week. Since Serena last won Wimbledon a decade ago, eight different women have won the title.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
