Williams is the greatest - but will she produce another great fight?

The adage that every great fighter believes they have one more great fight left in them seems particularly apt for Serena Williams as she embarks on her return to professional tennis. At 44, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is set to compete in singles at Wimbledon next week, marking her first singles appearance in four years.

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Every great fighter thinks they have one great fight left in them.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, especially in the women's game, Williams clearly feels she still possesses the ability to compete. However, the reality is she hasn't played a competitive singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open. Launching her comeback at the All England Club, where she has won seven singles titles, is an ambitious move.

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Serena's mindset has always been to be the best and not settle for mediocrity.

Williams herself states she "does not need to win" and has "nothing to prove." Yet, the competitive fire still burns. Former rival Lindsay Davenport noted that Williams' mindset has always been to be the best, suggesting she wouldn't return unless she felt capable of making an immediate impact. Her return to doubles at Queen's and subsequent intense practice at Wimbledon indicate she believes she is ready.

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I think we have to assume that she's coming back because she feels she's in a position where she can make an impact immediately in women's tennis.

However, the physical demands of singles tennis, especially on grass, present a formidable barrier. Williams, who turns 45 in September, is significantly older than most of her competitors. The majority of leading women's players are around 20 years her junior. Davenport highlighted that grass is a fast, low, and physical surface, requiring significant bending and stamina. While Williams is an inspiration for her message of achieving at any age, the transition from two doubles matches to facing the world's best in singles will be a severe test of her movement and endurance.

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It doesn't get easy as you get older and grass is a tough surface to start on.