Serena Williams ‘never expected to be here’ as tennis legend gets set for Grand Slam singles return at Wimbledon

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Serena Williams is set to play both singles and doubles at Wimbledon after her sensational comeback to the sport, something even the 23-time Grand Slam champion did not expect to happen. The American great was awarded a wildcard into both competitions.

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Williams takes on Maya Joint on Centre Court in her opening round match at Wimbledon, her first time playing singles since the US Open in 2022.

She is also playing doubles with her sister Venus, having accepted a wildcard from the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club) for both competitions.

"Success [for me] is just walking out there. I never expected to be here,” she told BBC Sport.

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"Success is enjoying myself and sticking to my game plan that my coach gives me, being disciplined - and that's what I'm trying to do."

Having initially decided to "evolve” away from the sport following a third round loss at the US Open in 2022, Williams made her comeback at Queen’s, playing one doubles match with Victoria Mboko before the duo were forced to withdraw after Mboko slipped and injured herself playing singles.

Williams went on to play one match in Berlin, teaming up with Karolina Muchova.

Her wildcard into the Wimbledon doubles was announced first and largely expected, with the Williams sisters having won the doubles title in SW19 six times.

But her singles wildcard was more of a surprise - even perhaps to Williams herself.

"I can name probably like a handful of people [to get a wildcard]. I happened to be one of them," she added.

"I thought, 'I should really take this opportunity'. Who knows if I'll ever make it here again? This could be it.

"I was like, 'What's wrong with you, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts?' I have this great opportunity to showcase what I do best."

Williams plays Joint in her opening match and the Australian world No. 87 will be no pushover, having won a tournament on grass last year.

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Williams has won the Wimbledon title seven times, last lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish in 2016 when she beat Angelique Kerber in straight sets.

And a return to Wimbledon has been relatively straightforward for the American star, despite the grounds having changed since she last played here.

"It's been a very easy re-transition. I'm back in the house that I stayed in [for] several years," she said.

"It's nothing too new, and at the same time, it's everything new. Change is good.”

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