Serena Williams Denies Chasing Margaret Court’s Elusive Grand Slam Record Ahead of Singles Return at Wimbledon

Serena Williams has refused to call her return to the tour a comeback, given that she never technically used the word “retirement” at the 2022 US Open. The American legend is marking her triumphant return at the Wimbledon Championship, but she’s not obsessed with reaching Margaret Court’s 24 major title record.

Williams has won 23 Grand Slams in her career, just one away from Court’s record on tour. Although there has been debate about the significance of Court’s record, she still remains the women’s player with the most major titles in the Open Era. Williams last won a Grand Slam at the 2017 Australian Open after defeating her sister Venus Williams.

However, after the victory, she had opportunities to increase her major title tally but failed to do so. She reached the final of the 2018 US Open, losing to Naomi Osaka, and then at the 2019 Wimbledon, failing to overcome Simona Halep in the championship match. Her last final was against Bianca Andreescu at the 2019 US Open, where she lost 3-6, 5-7.

Three years after the loss, she played what at that time was her last professional match against Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round, where she seemingly waved farewell. Williams marked her return to tour in the Queen’s Club Championships doubles, and the Berlin Tennis Open doubles alongside Victoria Mboko and Karolina Muchova, respectively.

Wimbledon will be her first singles competition, having been handed a wildcard by the organizers. Speaking to ESPN at the All England Club, Williams was asked if she thinks about reaching Court’s 24 major title record, and the 44-year-old admitted that she’s not thinking about that at the grass-court Grand Slam:

Oh God, no, no. Those times are over for me. I had my opportunity and I’m very happy with where I am and I’m great with that.

Serena Williams says she’s not concerned with having the record for the most Grand Slam titles in history:

“Those times are over for me. I had my opportunity and I’m very happy with where I am.”

(Interviewed by @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/9qHScT3Rhr

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 29, 2026

Williams will also take part in the doubles at Wimbledon alongside her big sister Venus. Nonetheless, Williams will face 20-year-old Australian star Iva Jovic in the opening round of the tournament. Jovic, who won the Eastbourne International last year, is currently ranked World No. 28 and has never reached the third round of Wimbledon. Jovic has lost just eleven matches this season.

Serena Williams is happy to easily retransition to tour competitions after four years away

Serena Williams has played just two matches ahead of her Wimbledon return. The 44-year-old took part in doubles competitions at the Queen’s Club Championships and Berlin Tennis Open before arriving in London for the Grand Slam event. It’s been 1,396 days since she last played a singles match, so she is under no pressure at Wimbledon as there are no expectations of what level of performance she will display.

Williams has been seen training on the court and practicing with players, but it will surely be a different occasion when she faces Iva Jovic. Speaking to BBC Sports, the former World No.1 admitted that it has been an easy retransition to tour competitions because of her professional experience:

It’s been a very easy retransition. I’m back in the house that I stayed in [for] several years. It’s nothing too new, and at the same time it’s everything new. Change is good. Success [for me] is just walking out there. I never expected to be here. Success is enjoying myself and sticking to my game plan that my coach gives me, being disciplined – and that’s what I’m trying to do.

Marta Kostyuk, who has practiced with Williams over the past few days, admitted that the 23-time Grand Slam champion still has one of the best serves on the women’s circuit and good movement on grass. However, it will come down to the pace with which her opponents will want to force her to play, which can create problems for Williams.

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