'Inspirational' Serena Williams Hyped by Novak Djokovic Ahead of Icon's Wimbledon Return

Tennis star Novak Djokovic heaped praise on Serena Williams this week ahead of her return to singles competition at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Djokovic expressed his belief that Williams is an inspiration for coming back to tennis after four years, during which time she gave birth to two daughters.

"First and foremost, what she's doing is inspirational and it's epic," Djokovic said. "That's what I told her. I always admired her career, her journey, her story. ... It's admirable, honestly, the ‌effort she's ⁠putting in. Of course, all eyes are on her, her comeback. I just hope she will enjoy because she really deserves. She created something historical, legendary in her career.

"For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort to, not just for ⁠her own satisfaction or coming back on the tour, but also to give all of us a pleasure of seeing her back on the court—in singles as well as doubles—is remarkable. I told her that whatever ⁠happens, what she's doing is truly inspirational for me personally, and I'm sure for millions around the world."

Regarded by many as the greatest women's tennis player of all time, Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, last winning a major title in 2017 at the Australian Open.

Serena's seven Wimbledon women's singles titles are tied for the third-most in history behind only Martina Navratilova and Helen Willis Moody, so making her singles return at All England Club in London is fitting.

After last playing competitively in 2022, Williams eased her way back into the fray earlier this month when she played doubles at the Queen's Club Championships with Victoria Mboko.

Singles is a different animal, though, and she will truly be tested next week at Wimbledon.

Djokovic suggested that the 44-year-old Williams will be ready for the physicality that comes along with playing in a Grand Slam tournament, saying, "I see her in the gym more than I ‌have, I think, seen her when she was at her prime. It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible."

Williams' first match back in the singles ranks will be a first-round encounter with Maya Joint at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Joint is a 20-year-old who has never advanced past the second round at a Grand Slam tourney, and she will be playing in Wimbledon for only the second time.

If Williams prevails, it will mark her first singles win at Wimbledon since 2019.