‘Semi-Shocked’ John McEnroe Thinks He Knows Why Serena Williams Is Returning to Tour

Speculation about Serena Williams‘ comeback began when she entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) drug-testing pool last December. But when she was asked whether she would indeed be returning, as expected, Williams remained tight-lipped.

In March, countrywoman Alycia Parks shared a video of her practice session with the tennis legend. Her sister Venus Williams, when asked in a press conference about the rumors, remained silent. But now, Williams has confirmed it herself.

She took to Instagram to announce her comeback, with a caption that read: “Good news travels fast.” She will return to the Queen’s Club Championships and play doubles alongside 19-year-old Victoria Mboko. The Canadian teenager, last year, enjoyed a fairytale run at the home WTA 1000 event in Montreal, defeating Naomi Osaka in the final.

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Reacting to the announcement, John McEnroe on TNT Sports said he thinks he knows the reason why Williams wants to compete again.

I am semi-shocked that she has decided to do it at her age after having two kids and what she has accomplished. I know she did not win a major, and she wanted to prove she could do it, so I assume she was slightly disappointed in not doing that.

Williams won her last Major at the 2017 Australian Open while she was eight weeks pregnant with her first child, daughter Olympia. She is now the mother of two daughters: Olympia and Adira River.

Having said that, when was her last match, four years ago? It’s a big ask for Serena, but it’s awesome for tennis. She is the GOAT! If Serena Williams is the GOAT. If she is coming back, she’s not coming back because she’s happy to play and it’s fun. She is coming back because she wants to win another major. That is the only reason I can think that Serena Williams wants to play tennis again.

John McEnroe added

She last played a Major final at the 2019 US Open, losing to Bianca Andreescu. Williams last won a singles title at the 2020 ASB Classic by defeating countrywoman Jessica Pegula. She hung up her racket after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US Open.

Martina Navratilova reacts to Serena Williams’ comeback

Martina Navratilova remains the oldest player to win a Grand Slam match. She won the first round of the 2004 Wimbledon against Catalina Castano at the age of 47. After returning to action in 2000 (she stepped away from singles in 1994), Navratilova won three mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and finally hung up her racket at the age of 49.

Serena Williams is 44 now. So even if she wins a Grand Slam match, she will not be breaking Navratilova’s record.

Serena brought the game to another level, and it is incredible for the sport that she’s pushing the boundaries and coming back. To many of the younger players, they never had the opportunity to play her; some may have never watched her on television, so this will be a new and exciting experience.

Martina Navratilova said (H/T: WTA)

Williams has never won a title at the Queen’s. Women’s events returned to the Queen’s last year, ending a 52-year absence. But at Wimbledon, the former World No.1 lifted seven singles titles, the last of which she won in 2016 by defeating Angelique Kerber. Williams won eight of her 73 singles titles on grass.

Apart from her 23 singles titles, Williams also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with Venus Williams. She also has two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles to her name, both of which she won with Max Mirnyi.

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