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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Sports

Serena Williams and sports stars who returned from retirement past 40

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Tennis superstar Serena Williams, at 44, is returning to professional tennis to compete in the Queen's doubles tournament.
  • The article highlights other sports legends who made comebacks after the age of 40, including Allyson Felix, Lindsey Vonn, George Foreman, and Michael Schumacher.
  • These athletes demonstrated that age is not always a barrier to elite performance, achieving significant results even in their later careers.

Tennis icon Serena Williams is making a comeback to the professional circuit at the age of 44, set to participate in the Queen's doubles tournament from June 7 to June 14. Her return adds to a growing list of legendary athletes who have defied age to compete at the highest level.

this is a once-in-a-lifetime return home

— Allyson FelixFelix's statement to Time magazine about her potential return to competition in Los Angeles.

Among those highlighted is American track and field star Allyson Felix, the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 11 medals. At 40, Felix aims to compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, acknowledging her age but expressing a desire to return home for a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity. Despite not being at her peak physical form, she remains determined.

U.S. skiing legend Lindsey Vonn also returned to competition at 40 after a nearly six-year retirement. She achieved success by winning two World Cup stages in her comeback season. Despite a severe knee injury sustained during the Winter Olympics, Vonn expressed no regrets about her return, stating she felt strong and prepared regardless of her age.

I know, I'm 40 years old and I'm not in my peak form. I don't have illusions about that.

— Allyson FelixFelix's candid assessment of her physical condition regarding a potential comeback.

Boxing icon George Foreman's remarkable career included winning the world heavyweight title at 45, a decade after his initial retirement. He defeated Michael Moorer, who was 19 years his junior, to reclaim the championship. Foreman reflected that his second title win was a more profound experience, allowing him to process the moment more fully than his first victory.

I was strong, no matter my age, and I was prepared.

— Lindsey VonnVonn's statement to ESPN about her mindset during her comeback attempt.

Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher, considered one of the sport's greatest, returned to racing at 41 after a three-year hiatus. His comeback in the 2010 season with Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team demonstrated that significant achievements are possible even after extended breaks from competition.

When you fight for the world title it seems hard to believe, you don't feel like you're really there, it could be a dream.

— George ForemanForeman reflecting in 2023 on winning his second world heavyweight title.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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