Serena Williams Set for Tennis Return Next Week in Eastbourne

by Staff | June 7th, 2011, 9:15 am
  • 16 Comments

Former World No. 1 Serena Williams has announced that she will return to tennis next week at the grass court tournament in Eastbourne, then she will defend her Wimbledon title.

“I am so excited to be healthy enough to compete again,” Serena said in a statement. “These past 12 months have been extremely tough and character building. I have so much to be grateful for. I’m thankful to my family, friends and fans for all their support. Serena’s back!”

Serena hasn’t played a match since injuring her foot following her 13th-career Grand Slam title last July at Wimbledon.


Williams then suffered a blood clot in early March which doctors said could keep her off the circuit for another 18 months.

But the 29-year-old has made a quick recovery and intends to return to the women’s tennis tour which has been in upheaval and almost rudderless without the big stars playing.

Serena is currently ranked No. 25 on the WTA computer. She will be joined in Eastbourne by sister Venus who hasn’t played since January because of a hip injury


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16 Comments for Serena Williams Set for Tennis Return Next Week in Eastbourne

dari Says:

Great news. But after a year, I do not believe it till I see her hit a ball!


Tennis Vagabond Says:

WOW. That changes everything. I am sure Serena will do well at Wimbledon, but even S can’t possibly win after a year off (cough-partying-cough), can she?
However, if her comeback is serious and injury free, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her holding the USO trophy, and maybe 1 or 2 more Slams next year.
Venus is probably too old to come back too strong- maybe she’ll win a couple rounds at Wimbledon.
The tour has missed these women incredibly. Its really hard to care about the WTA with such a vacuum at the top echelon. Clijsters is great when she’s on, but not a model of consistency. I actually enjoy Wozniaki because of her incredible speed, but the fact is, she’s not a world class champion.
Serena is far and away the benchmark and beast of the WTA.


Humble Rafa Says:

She is a beast alright! She can fill a whole room by herself.

Looking for an early Serena exit!


Lulu Iberica Says:

I hope she’s actually fit and ready to go! I’ve missed seeing her powerful game and determination. I’m sick of chokers and wimps in the WTA!


Kimberly Says:

i hope for a sharapova venus match with sharapova winning it then a sharpova serena match with sharapova winning again!


Kimmi Says:

great to see her back


Colin Says:

Lulu, surely you wouldn’t classify either of the French Open finalists as chokers or wimps?


scoreboard66 Says:

Serena mentioned on twitter that she’s been practising a lot.


scoreboard66 Says:

Hope to see Serena winning again.


RD Says:

Love or hate her….Serena is always a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court. Over the past several years, she’s evolved into a all-court player and strategist.

If her record isn’t enough for you haters out there, I invite you to read just about any WTA player interview, blog or comments ABOUT Serena.

Not only is she among the All-time BEST ATHLETES (including tennis), she has consistently demonstrates gracious and generous sportsmanship, modeling professionalism and camaraderie, on and off the court.


Colin Says:

Good grief, RD, are you MAD? Gracious and generous sportsmanship!!
After that outburst at the US Open, she should never have been allowed to set foot on a tennis court again.
Or am I obtuse, and you’re really being sarcastic?


M Says:

I hear you, dari. I was all set for a return after we saw her practicing in the hot pink catsuit.

Go, Serena!


M Says:

Then, Colin – I guess you would’ve booted Roger, too, for swearing at the ref that year … and A-Rod too, as often as he does it … and Dmitrov, who apparently physically attacked a ref.

For starters.


Anna Says:

Serena has also tweeted a picture of herself and I’ll tell you she has the 2nd best abs on tour, right after Rafa. With Serena anything possible.

M- Those guys were all jackasses in the moment, but fortunately we can move on.


Lulu Iberica Says:

Colin, though I like both Li and Schiavone neither of them comes close to Serena in consistency or mental strength. Li pulled through this time, but she has mental hiccups, and Fran did not bring her best to the final. I admire Sharapova’s toughness, but when she makes 1,000 DFs it’s hard for her to win a slam! And Kim, Kim! I like her, and sometimes her game is just awesome, but what happens to her with those complete meltdowns? I will not even discuss Woz in this context.


George Ross Says:

Get over the US Open incident with Serena Williams. She is still and will always be one of the best, if not the best, players on the WTA Tour. She has not done or said anything that hasn’t already been done or said by other players who was going throught something during a playoff. Go SERENA!!!!!!!

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