Novak Djokovic praised Serena Williams for her “inspirational” and “epic” return to Wimbledon, and thinks the 44-year-old is spending more time in the gym than she did during her “prime” as she builds up to her highly anticipated comeback.
“For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort, not just for her own satisfaction or coming back on the tour, but also to give all of us a pleasure of seeing her back on the court - in singles as well as doubles - is remarkable,” Djokovic, 39, said.
“I told her that whatever happens, what she's doing is truly inspirational for me personally, I'm sure for millions around the world. I think I see her in the gym more than I have seen her when she was at her prime! It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible.
“It's admirable, honestly, the effort she's putting in. Of course all eyes are on her, her comeback. I just hope that she will enjoy because she really deserves it. She created something historical, legendary in her career. She deserves every applause she's going to get.”
Williams, the seven-time Wimbledon singles champion and 23-time grand slam winner, will play her first singles match in four years against Maya Joint on Tuesday. She is also confirmed to be playing doubles with her sister Venus, 46, at the tournament, having launched her comeback by playing doubles at Queen’s.
Williams last played singles at the 2022 US Open, the tournament where she seemingly waved farewell to the sport following a third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic.
Djokovic, the 24-time grand slam champion and seven-time Wimbledon singles winner, opens his campaign against China’s Wu Yibing on Monday.
The Serbian was knocked out of the French Open in the third round by Joao Fonseca last month, but he revealed his confidence is high ahead of Wimbledon.
“I think it is different in terms of just the overall physical state,” he said. “I think I'm better prepared here than I was for Roland Garros.
“Obviously playing on grass, comparing to clay, you don't need to exert as much physical effort. So that's better for me,
“I always loved playing on grass. I have a very good history, here at Wimbledon. That gives me a higher dose of confidence coming into the tournament.”
