Williams has not competed in a singles competition since being injured in SW19 in 2021, but the 23-time Grand Slam winner is returning to the All England club.
The 40-year-old has seven Wimbledon singles titles under her belt, the most recent of which came in 2016, while she reached the finals in 2018 and 2019, having only lost to Angelique Kerber and Serena Halep.
Now, putting his hamstring problem behind him, Williams is determined to create a new lasting memory in London.
“Yes, to be honest, she was very inspiring,” she told reporters on Saturday about how her previous Wimbledon campaign ended.
“It simply came to our notice then. So she was a tremendous inspiration for him.
“You never want to end a match like this. This is really unfortunate. “
Williams made a comeback to the tournament last week, playing doubles with Ons Jabur in Eastbourne, and made her much-anticipated comeback against 243-year-old Harmony Tan of France, who is 113th at Wimbledon.
Despite just one less than Margaret Court’s long-term record of 24 majors, Williams doesn’t build a high estimate of how far he can go at Wimbledon.
“I have high goals, but … I don’t know,” she said. “We’ll see.”
If she beats Tan, Williams could face Sarah Soribes Tormo, and if she beats him, she will play sixth-seeded Carolina Pliskova, who was Ash Barty’s runner-up at last year’s Wimbledon. Also in the final of the 2016 US Open.
Williams had hoped to play at Flushing Meadows last year but needed more time to recover mentally and physically.
“I felt like last year was tough,” she said. “I felt like I was getting hurt all year. Then I tore my hamstrings. It was hard. I don’t think anyone wants to do that. So, in general, the whole experience was difficult.
“Then, from there, I still tried to make New York. I gave myself whatever I could to get ready or try to make it every day. But then here it is: I’m not going to make it, hang my racket for a while until I’m healed.”
However, the thought of retiring never crossed his mind while away from the game. In addition to recovering, she spent the last year in the right frame of mind.
“I’m not retired,” Williams said. “I just need to heal physically, mentally. And yes, to be honest, I had no plans.
“I didn’t know when I would be back. I didn’t know how I would be back. Of course, Wimbledon is a great place and it has somehow worked.”
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