WTA: Serena Williams is taking it easy in Eastbourne
Serena Williams will celebrate her comeback at the WTA Tour 500 tournament in Eastbourne, but the US icon will only compete in doubles alongside Ons Jabeur.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jun 19, 2022, 07:21 am
A serve with the dynamic we have been used to for decades, including only the comment: "Ready". Serena Williams accompanied her comeback at the WTA Tour 500 tournament in Eastbourne during the week. As it turned out in the draw on Saturday, the 23-time Grand Slam winner takes it easy at first. Because Serena is missing in the singles grid, she only called for the doubles together with Ons Jabeur . There the two meet Marie Bouzkova from the Czech Republic and Sara Sorribes Tormo from Spain.
Will this be enough to prepare for the third major of the year? Serena Williams hasn't played a tennis match in almost a year. And even if Andrea Petkovic suspected in Berlin that the American will come to Wimbledon in very good physical condition, no one knows for sure. Because, back to social media, on Instagram, for example, there was nothing to be seen of increased training efforts. In contrast to previous years, when Serena documented all her steps on the tennis court.
How good is Iga Swiatek on grass?
On the other hand, if Williams didn't expect to put on a decent tournament in south-west London, she probably wouldn't try. The pecking order in women's tennis behind industry leader Iga Swiatek is still extremely confusing. And Swiatek doesn't know how good her form will be on grass either. The Pole has not appeared in a tournament since her triumph at the French Open.
In any case, Serena Williams can do quite a thorough scouting of her possible competitors in Wimbledon in Eastbourne. Paula Badosa tops the seed list, followed by Ons Jabeur and Maria Sakkari. Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open winner, is also trying to get back on her feet after long-term injury problems.