Serena Williams Wimbledon return at 44 draws support from Lindsey Vonn on elite comebacks

Serena Williams is set to play singles and doubles at Wimbledon at 44 after returning to competition in London. Skier Lindsey Vonn, who has made her own comeback, says more women are competing at elite level later in their careers and notes Williams told her she helped inspire the return.

Serena Williams returned to professional tennis after nearly four years away, and Lindsey Vonn watched closely. Williams plans to play singles and doubles at Wimbledon at age 44. Vonn said elite women were now pushing career limits later in life. Vonn followed Williams’s return after seeing Williams play doubles at Queen’s Club.

Vonn told The Associated Press that both athletes shared a similar mind-set about competition. "I feel like we are in the same boat, where we dont need to prove anything to anyone but we still have the ability to compete at an elite level. She Willliams also told me that I played a role in inspiring her to come back so that of course was meaningful to me.\"

Serena Williams Wimbledon comeback and match schedule

Williams will play the first Wimbledon singles match since 2022 on Tuesday. The opponent is 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia, and the match is on Centre Court. Later in the week, Williams will also enter doubles. The doubles partner is older sister Venus Williams, who won many titles with Williams.

Vonn watched the Queen’s Club doubles win from a VIP balcony in London. The match paired Williams with Victoria Mboko, and they won. Vonn later spoke with Williams after the match ended. \"She was in great spirits. Shes having fun which I loved seeing, even more than her tennis,\" Vonn said in a written response.

Vonn added that enjoyment mattered more than results at this stage. \"If its bringing her joy to play, I say play as long as you want!\" Vonn said. Williams also described early Wimbledon training as familiar but not simple. \"It was kind of like riding a bike,\" Williams said Sunday of practice at the All England Club.

Lindsey Vonn comeback and injury updates linked to Serena Williams Wimbledon

Vonn returned after nearly six years away from skiing in December 2024. Vonn competed with a partial titanium replacement in the right knee. Last season included two wins and seven podium finishes. Vonn was also the top World Cup downhiller at age 41. Then a crash at the Milan Cortina Olympics in February ended the season.

The Olympic crash badly fractured Vonn’s left leg and nearly led to amputation. Vonn had eight surgeries since that incident. Vonn still needs at least one more operation for a torn ACL. The ACL injury is in the same knee as the fracture. Vonn has resumed gym work and physical training. Vonn is still weighing a further return to racing.

Asked what to expect from Williams at Wimbledon, Vonn urged caution. \"Its her first major singles tournament since retiring so I would expect for her to play well but not show all her cards yet,\" Vonn said. \"Im sure she can still win, but I wouldnt put any expectations on her. Shes the GOAT greatest of all time no matter what happens.\"

Serena Williams Wimbledon record and shared standards with Lindsey Vonn

Williams has 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 14 more in doubles. All doubles majors came with Venus Williams as partner. Vonn holds 45 World Cup downhill wins, a record for any skier. Both athletes spoke about keeping personal standards high. \"Obviously when I play, I might have a lot of things come up,\" Williams said.

Williams said belief remained central, regardless of age or a long break. \"You have to believe in yourself and go for any dream,\" Williams said, \"no matter how wild it may be.\" Vonn framed the moment as part of a wider change in women’s sport. For Wimbledon, Williams enters with major experience, while Vonn continues recovery and training after surgery.

With inputs from PTI