Serena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback has already generated strong reactions across the tennis world, and one former WTA 1000 champion believes the 23-time Grand Slam winner has nothing left to prove. Ahead of Williams’ return to singles competition at Wimbledon 2026, Danielle Collins offered a glowing assessment of the American icon’s motivations and legacy.The comments arrive as Williams prepares for her first singles appearance in nearly four years. After returning to action in doubles events at Queen’s and Berlin, the 44-year-old will now test herself again on the sport’s biggest stage.
Former WTA 1000 title winner reveals what she really thinks about Serena Williams’ comeback
Serena Williams’ decision to compete at Wimbledon has reignited discussion about her place in tennis history and what she hopes to achieve at this stage of her career. Collins, the 2024 Miami Open champion, does not believe records or external expectations are driving the comeback.Speaking on The Big T podcast, Collins said: “Yeah, my hot take is I don’t think Serena’s out to prove anything to anyone. I think this is more about doing what she loves.“I think she’s going into this, not with a ton of pressure. I mean, I think all of us in the tennis world agree that she’s the one with the record holder for Grand Slams won, not Margaret Court.“I do not consider Margaret Court’s Grand Slam count to be something that I honestly take quite seriously, because, first of all, when Margaret Court won a lot of those Australian Opens, the draw size was 32, and there were only maybe three or four foreign players going over and competing in the Australian Open at that time.“The Australian Open was a very different tournament, and during that time, it’s not comparable, so I think anybody that knows anything about tennis and has been in this world knows that Serena is the record holder and that that stat is really just a distraction away from everything that she has achieved and being the greatest of all time.“So I think for Serena, she’s going out looking to have fun, getting to enjoy what she loves again, getting to take the court with her sister.“And, you know, just bring all of her tennis fans some joy. I mean, I think we’re all excited about seeing her out on court, and yeah, whatever ends up happening as a Serena fan, I’m okay with.”Former coach Rick Macci has also weighed in on the challenge ahead. While praising Williams’ abilities, he cautioned that adapting to grass courts after a lengthy absence could be difficult.Macci wrote on X: “Serena has to be careful in and out of the corners as the grass early on besides quick will be slick.“The movement patterns and timing the split step from not competing in four years creates tentative inner fears.“With the slippery spots all around she does not want to fall and tumble on the All England ground. Her movement 100% is the key to any Serena victory.”
Andy Roddick explains Serena Williams’ confidence
Serena Williams. Image via: AP Photo/ Ebrahim Noroozi
While Collins focused on Williams’ legacy, former world No. 1 Andy Roddick pointed to something else. It is the extraordinary confidence required to return directly to Wimbledon after such a long break from singles tennis.Speaking on his Served podcast, Roddick admitted the decision is unlike anything he would have considered during his own career.“After not having played an individual match in many years, think: ‘You know what? I think my first comeback to competition will be at Wimbledon…’. Imagine being in Serena’s mind, where she thinks: ‘It’s going to be Wimbledon, I am good enough, I can handle this, no problem. That is a level of confidence I never had for even twelve seconds in my whole life,” Andy acknowledged.Roddick even joked that he would have taken a much different path back to competition before adding an intriguing point about a potential matchup against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.“She has as much of a chance as anyone else in the world to face Sabalenka in the first round. I thought about it from the other side; if you are Sabalenka and play against Serena, who hasn’t played in four years, comes out and gets three or four service games… There is no advantage if Sabalenka plays against Serena, none,” he asserted.Indeed, she is one of the greatest in the sport.
