STRICT WIMBLEDON rules meant Serena Williams’s youngest daughter could not watch her mum’s comeback.
Williams, 44, returned to the sport tonight after a four-year absence and she played Australian Maya Joint in the first round on Centre Court.
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Serena Williams made her much-anticipated return to Centre Court Credit: Reuters
Williams’ children Adira River, two, and Alexis Olympia, eight, joined her husband Alexis Ohanian before the match Credit: AP
The match had been delayed by Alex Zverev’s lengthy four-set win over Belgian Alexander Blockx and the roof was closed so that fading light would not disrupt proceedings.
In the players’ box were most of the Williams clan, particularly elder sister Venus, 46, who will play doubles with Serena this week.
The younger Williams sibling – a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion – was watched during her warm-up by eldest daughter Alexis Olympia, eight, who has seen her mummy in action several times.
And Adira River – who arrived into the world in August 2023 – was cradled in her dad’s arms as the coin toss was performed.
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A standing ovation from the 15,000 crowd greeted the pair when they walked out, which is a rare sight in this arena, but a justifiable one for a legend of the sport,.
However, Wimbledon has a strict policy where children aged five or younger are not allowed to be courtside during the match.
This was in place when Andy Murray retired two years ago and not all of his four kids were allowed to see his swansong doubles appearance live with brother Jamie.
It meant that some had to take Adira River backstage and into the bowels of the stadium while the match took place.
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Given that it did not start until 7.30pm it was probably already past her bedtime.
One of the reasons that Serena gave for this comeback was so that her two children would be able to watch her play again at the highest level.
