LONDON — Novak Djokovic says he has never seen Serena Williams working harder in the gym than she is right now, as excitement continues to build around the 44-year-old American’s return to Wimbledon after a four-year absence.
Williams’ comeback has generated enormous buzz at the All England Club, with players across the draw expressing admiration for the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion ahead of her highly anticipated return to competitive tennis.
“I see her in the gym more than I have, I think, seen her when she was at her prime,” Djokovic told reporters. “It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible.”
Djokovic himself is no stranger to chasing history. The seventh seed, who is 39 years old, is pursuing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title and an eighth Wimbledon crown during the tournament.
Williams last competed in a singles match at the 2022 U.S. Open. If she were to claim an eighth Wimbledon singles title, it would be considered one of the most extraordinary comebacks in the history of sport.
When asked what he said to Williams after crossing paths with her at the All England Club this week, Djokovic did not hold back.
“First and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her. I always admired her career, her journey, her story. Of course, Venus’ as well,” said Djokovic, who opens his tournament against China’s Wu Yibing.
“It’s admirable, honestly, the effort she’s putting in. Of course, all eyes are on her, her comeback. I just hope she will enjoy because she really deserves. She created something historical, legendary in her career.”
Djokovic went on to highlight just how significant the moment is, saying: “For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort to, 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.”
“I told her that whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally, and I’m sure for millions around the world,” he added.
Fellow American Ben Shelton also weighed in on Williams’ return, calling it a standout moment in the sport.
“Seeing her out here, as focused as she is, really going for it at 44 years old is insanely impressive, obviously one of the biggest icons in sports history, not just tennis,” Shelton said.
Newly crowned French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, who is 19 years old and competing in her first Grand Slam alongside Williams, admitted she was relieved not to have been drawn against the American legend in the first round. That task falls to Australia’s Maya Joint on Tuesday.
“I would never think I would actually play the same tournament as her,” the Russian player said. “When I arrived on site and I was warming up for my practice, they were doing the draw ceremony, I was watching like this (nervously) because I don’t think anyone in the draw would have wanted to play against Serena.”
“I’m going to speak for myself. I wouldn’t want to play against Serena. I would be just very nervous. I just think that it’s amazing that she came back,” Andreeva added.
