Anyone who still harbours the antiquated sentiment that women’s tennis is just not as entertaining or as demanding as the men’s game would do well to remember the awesome tale of Kim Clijsters – she retired and gave birth to her daughter before returning to win three Grand Slam titles in as many years.
It really shouldn’t surprise anyone if the returning Serena Williams goes on to achieve something similarly jaw-dropping in the next few months and years.
Having teased her comeback on social media during the week, the 23-time ladies’ singles champion looks ready to make an appearance at the Australian Open in the new year. It promises to be something extra special, not just because she has been absent for so long, but because she is likely to push even the fittest and most in-form names all the way in her efforts to defend the crown she won last year.
Because when Serena gets going, there are very few obstacles or opponents that can get in her way. Plus, there are few reasons to believe she has much to fear from anyone at the moment.
In her absence, no single player has been able to take up the mantle and stake their claim as the next great or the pretender to the throne. There have been some exceptional performances and some great competition between players for sure, as each has strived for victories, titles and status.
Garbiñe Muguruza has proven herself capable without being overly-dominant across the board, but it has almost felt as if even she was trying to distract us from the great Williams’ absence, getting us used to what it will one day be like when she’s gone from the professional sphere for good.
However, with the stage set for Williams once more, and even though Flushing Meadows will always be her true backyard, an Aussie Open return would feel like something of a homecoming – as far as the spiritual side of tennis is concerned, at least.
There is also the small matter that her involvement Down Under will involve the fight for points – the deeper she can surge at the debut Slam of the upcoming year, the higher she will be able to stay in the rankings and the less time she will have to waste before she can close in on top spot once again. It says a great deal about her mindset – victory might be out of reach, but she still has some lofty long-term goals in mind.
After all, the no.1 rank is a position she will no doubt feel a certain amount of ownership of having held it for so long over her glittering career to date.
Williams will always have the mentality of a fearless champion, and this time around ought to see her take on the same fiery persona. Having given birth just a few short months ago, even her most enthusiastic of admirers might well be feeling a little bit anxious about just how ready she could possibly be.
Doubtless, her physical fitness will come under intense scrutiny from opponents, especially in the opening rounds as she re-acclimatizes to the gruelling nature of Slam tennis after a hiatus of some 12 months. Even Clijsters had over 18 months away from the game before she dived back in.
However, to write her off before a racket has even been swung or an umpire call has echoed around the Melbourne Park courts would be to underestimate the sort of resilient warrior that Williams is.
For some, Williams’ return seems hurried and ill thought-out, and while it’s true it would have been ideal for her to make a more gradual return to the top, she needs the points.
It might suggest that her Aussie appearance is being fast-tracked and is ill-advised, but for the rest of us who know that tennis is her life’s mission, it’s clear that her return is yet another reminder of how passionate she remains about the sport.
Her hunger and enthusiasm have not diminished whatsoever over the years and for those of us who love seeing the best stay involved for years and years, Williams continued presence on the major courts should be relished over and over again.
