Serena Williams’ return to Wimbledon has already been confirmed, but only in a doubles capacity.
And realistically, that is enough.
It is the most sensational sporting story, seeing the 44-year-old legend pair up with her sister, Venus, to return to an event where they have both enjoyed so much prior success.
However, for all the excitement surrounding this return, one question still lingers: will she play singles?
Rennae Stubbs, her new coach, has offered what insight she could.
Rennae Stubbs discusses whether Serena Williams will play singles at Wimbledon
Speaking on the Rennae Stubbs podcast, she first previewed the doubles: “One of the greatest partnerships of all time will be joining back up for Wimbledon, with the two sisters playing together.
“What a treat for the fans. Like, no matter what and how they do, you know, there’s so many people that would never have seen Venus and Serena play live. So for that fact, I’m just really happy for the tennis public that they get to see again.”
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Then, when asked about the sole ladies’ singles wildcard that remains at Wimbledon, Stubbs admitted: “Look, it’s no secret there’s one left, right? And I’m sure that Wimbledon are hoping that she says yes, but again, Serena makes those decisions and often says, you know, she’ll write us in a text.
“So, she’s going to make those decisions in the next few days, what she wants to do.
“And I don’t know. We obviously talked about it. It’s out there, that it’s still available, if she wants to do it or not. And it’s going to be up to her to make that decision. And she will be supported by all of us either way.
“If it’s just playing doubles, then it’s just playing doubles. And that’s how she feels.”
She then had a theory, adding: “And listen, I have not talked to her about this, but I think that there’s part of her that would love to play singles at Wimbledon, but she also is very smart in knowing what she’s capable of. And when she chooses to decide not to play, she’s making that decision based on her own feelings.
“So I don’t know what the answer to that question is. Nobody does. And so, yeah, I mean, it was news to me how many wildcards were left, and it was news to me that, you know, that it was even asked to her in press.
“And so, because there was one left, I’m sure she’s maybe holding those cards a little bit closer to her chest, but that’ll be her decision in the next, I would say, in the next few days. Wimbledon would have to know in the next few days.”
This comes just after Stubbs actually defended Emma Raducanu’s decision to fire so many coaches, questioning why she is such a lightning rod for criticism.
How Serena Williams responded when asked if she wanted the final Wimbledon singles wildcard
In typical Serena Williams fashion, she was coy when asked about the prospect of taking that final wildcard for the Wimbledon ladies’ singles draw.
However, this gives us little indication of her actual thinking, having denied her comeback for months before eventually admitting it to be true.
Her interaction with the reporter was amusing though as she desperately tried to dodge the question, which was: “There’s still one Wimbledon singles wildcard that hasn’t been announced yet. Would you like it?”
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She replied: “Oh, my gosh, there’s, there’s some left?” This prompted the reporter to reengage, adding: “There is one. Would you be interested in that? It’s still available?”
Williams then smiled as she asked: “Would you be interested that I accept it?”
Unsurprisingly, he said yes, to which she then asked if he thought she was ready to play singles.
“I think so. You can look like you’re practising, moving a lot in practise, side-to-side drills. It’s more important what you think,” he responded, with Williams then asking Muchova, who sat beside her.
She echoed the reporter’s sentiment, prompting Serena to add: “So, I need to get to work. That is the question of the hour, right? I don’t know. I wonder why there’s… I don’t know.”