Elina Svitolina Draws Comparisons Between Serena Williams and Roger Federer Amid the American’s Tennis Comeback

The Roland Garros quarterfinal between Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina was historic for many reasons. It was a matchup against the reigning Rome and Madrid champions and the first all-Ukrainian Grand Slam quarterfinal.

Kostyuk prevailed in three sets to become the first Ukrainian woman to reach the Roland Garros semifinal in the Open Era and the third Grand Slam semifinalist from her nation following Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska.

Beyond this historic matchup, women’s tennis is also about to witness another historic move with tennis great Serena Williams’ return to professional tennis at the age of 44. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who retired at the 2022 US Open, is now looking to grace the tennis courts again and will be making her return at the Queen’s Club Championships.

At the Roland Garros press conference following her loss, Svitolina weighed in on this moment, comparing Williams to Federer:

Serena… it’s a very unique situation. She’s like Roger… you know… Maybe not play for a year or something and then just go and play unbelievable. I think it’s just a different level of GOAT. I’m really excited actually for her to come back. I think it’s a great story and very inspiring for all the moms around the world.

Federer, who also retired the same year as Williams, delivered an iconic comeback in 2017. He came off after a long period of injury and ended his Grand Slam drought of five years with his Australian Open triumph in 2017. He went on to win a record eighth Wimbledon title that year and finished the season with seven titles.

Svitolina also noted that Williams is an inspiration to all mothers. Williams’ return this year also marks the first time she has played since the birth of her second daughter. Svitolina has also been sensational since her return after giving birth. She recently became just the third mother to win a WTA 1000 title after her victory in Rome, following the likes of Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.

Serena Williams’ legendary career and comeback

After months of speculation around her return, Serena Williams accepted a doubles wild card into the Queen’s Club tournament scheduled to take place next week in London. Grass marks a fitting place for Williams to make her return, who won 15 titles on this surface across doubles and singles.

Williams now joins an elite group of sporting icons who returned to competition in their 40s after stepping away from their respective sports.

Notable examples include quarterback Tom Brady, who came out of retirement at 45 to play another season; golfer Tiger Woods, who returned to tournament competition at 43 after a string of career-threatening injuries and went on to win that year’s Masters Tournament; and tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who retired from singles in the early 1990s before returning at 49 to the doubles circuit, where she claimed a Grand Slam title and several other trophies.

During her legendary career, spanning nearly three decades, Williams won 73 WTA singles titles, including 23 Grand Slam singles titles—the most by any woman in the Open Era. She also won 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles and two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, while earning four Olympic gold medals.

Renowned for her powerful serve, fierce competitiveness, and ability to thrive under pressure, Williams dominated multiple generations of players and spent 319 weeks as the World No. 1. Her return is sure to take the tennis world by storm.

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka Excited for Legend Serena Williams’ Shock Comeback: “It’s Very Good News for Tennis”