With all due respect, doubles is not a preparation for singles

Iker Jiménez | 25 Jun 2026 | 14.10

With all due respect, doubles is not a preparation for singles. Source: Getty

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There is less and less time left to see what the true level of Serena Williams will be in her highly anticipated return to the individual draw at Wimbledon. The American, who received a wildcard to compete in the Grand Slam on grass, faces one of the biggest challenges of her career at 44 years old and after nearly four seasons away from the circuit.

Her return has generated enormous excitement in the tennis world and has also sparked a debate about how far one of the greatest players of all time can go. One of the latest to speak out was Greg Rusedski, former world number four and finalist of the 1997 US Open. "You can never rule out a great champion, but at 44, everything is much more complicated," explained the Briton.

"To win a Grand Slam, you have to win seven matches in two weeks. She hasn't even played a warm-up tournament. With all due respect, doubles is not preparation for singles, it's completely different. Still, it's fantastic news for the WTA circuit and for tennis. There is no better place than Wimbledon to attempt a comeback."

Rusedski also acknowledged that making predictions is impossible when it comes to a player like Serena Williams. "With Serena, you never know what to expect. We knew she had an invitation for doubles, but watching her train at Wimbledon over the past week, she seemed focused solely on the individual draw. I can't make predictions. If she has been preparing for six months, it means she is taking this challenge very seriously."

However, the former tennis player believes that the real test will come when she has to compete at the highest level. "The big question will be her mobility. If the serve doesn't work perfectly, will she be able to defend the corners of the court? She will have to because she's been out of the circuit for four years. Meanwhile, the players are physically stronger, move better, and the overall level has increased."

Still, Rusedski is convinced that Serena's return will be one of the main attractions of the tournament. "She seems to be in great physical shape. The first match will be the real test. Imagine if she faces Aryna Sabalenka in the first round. Serena remains the biggest superstar in women's tennis and a global sports icon. When a legend returns, everyone wants to see her doing exactly what made her a champion."

Just a few days before the start of Wimbledon, Serena Williams' comeback remains one of the major focal points of the tournament. The draw will clarify the first mystery, but the true answer will come when the American steps back onto the grass of the All England Club in search of a comeback that seemed impossible just a few weeks ago.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "Con todos los respetos, el dobles no es una preparación para el individual"

Greg Rusedski