A former top 100 ATP player who shall remain nameless questioned the integrity and judgement behind the decision to give Serena Williams a Wimbledon wildcard…
Serena Williams is playing Wimbledon.
But did she earn this wild card?
The Serena superfans will say yes, and maybe they have a point.
23 Grand Slam titles.
Arguably the greatest women’s tennis player of all time.
Making a comeback at 44 years old after having two children.
But here’s the rub.
Wild cards typically go to young up-and-coming players, stars returning from injury who are playing full time again, or players from the host country.
Serena doesn’t fit any of those categories.
She hasn’t played one single competitive match to prepare.
Not one warm-up tournament.
Nothing.
In fact her last competitive singles match was almost four years ago at the US Open.
Four years!
Come on.
I played pro tennis for over a decade.
Came back multiple times from injury, including two surgeries.
I know what it takes to get back into playing shape.
It takes a lot, and it requires match play preparation in smaller warmup tournaments to get ready.
So to show up at the grandest tennis tournament in the world without playing a singles match in preparation and accept a Wild Card…
I struggle with that.
Is it good for ratings? Absolutely.
Is it good for Wimbledon’s bottom line? Of course.
Is it good for the game? That’s where I have questions.
Serena plays by a different set of rules and maybe she can because of how successful she’s been.
I respect her legacy, and she doesn’t have to defend herself to me or anyone.
When I think about how this connects to leadership, this decision by Wimbledon and Serena is NOT alignment with the integrity and respect for the game.
Serena may win her first round. She may make a run into the second week but from my viewpoint, it’s not a great look.
Serena Williams · The Championships · Wimbledon