ANDRE AGASSI believes Serena Williams’ return is “a win for tennis”.
And Genie Bouchard reckons she could even WIN Wimbledon – but admitted it may be a big mistake not playing any singles matches for four years before taking to the court.
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Serena Williams is back for Wimbledon 2026 after four years out of tennis Credit: EPA
JattvibeSport spoke to Andre Agassi, left, and Gnie Bouchard, second right, at a Wimbledon event in New York Credit: Getty
Mum-of-two Williams, 44, faces Australian youngster Maya Joint in round one on Tuesday after being handed a wildcard.
Agassi told JattvibeSport: “It’s a win for tennis.
“It looks like she’s been doing a lot of hard work, she looks in great shape.
“Serena’s such a competitor and she was so good.
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“It doesn’t surprise me that’s she’s putting herself out there and taking on this ambitious challenge at this stage of her life.
“I think success for her is quite honestly just her living her best life.
“And if she wants to do that now by getting back out there in a new chapter and challenging herself, she certainly deserves it.”
There has been some criticism that seven-time winner Williams parachuted in to the Wimbledon main draw at the expense of those grinding on the WTA Tour given she “transitioned away from tennis” after the 2022 US Open.
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But 2014 finalist Bouchard – who will work as a BBC pundit this fortnight – reckons the American deserves her spot and will not embarrass herself as she chases Grand Slam No24.
Speaking to JattvibeSport at The Wimbledon Court event in New York, Bouchard added: “It’s insane. It’s crazy that she’s going to go play her first singles match in four years at Wimbledon without any warm-up match.
“I wish she would play a warm-up event just to kind of get the rust out and get the pressure off.
“Now I feel like there’s a lot of pressure for this first-round match because her first match back just so happens to be at the biggest tournament in the world, Wimbledon.
“So, of course Serena would be the only player to do something like this. It’s like a Serena thing. The whole world will be tuning in for this.
“Of course she has a chance, of course she’s competitive. She’s Serena Williams.
“I don’t think she would want to put herself out there if she didn’t believe in herself. There’s no reason for her to go out there and embarrass herself.
“Because of who she is and how many times she’s won the event, if she’s still in playing shape, she’s someone who deserves a wildcard.
“But she’s also Serena. She can show up and win any tournament. That’s what we’ve learned from her whole career.”
On making a comeback as a mum, former world No1 Caroline Wozniacki added: “Well, if anyone can do it, it’s Serena, right? The greatest female player of all time.
“It’s not easy when you have little kids but I’m just so stoked that she is back.”
