Serena Williams of the US (L) speaks with Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka after victory during their women's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 14, 2021. (Photo by David Gray / AFP via Getty Images) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —
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When Serena Williams accepted a wildcard to play doubles with sister Venus at Wimbledon, her return to tennis felt more like a novelty and a well-received jolt to the game. Now that she’s entering the Wimbledon singles draw, Serena’s legacy and the credibility of women’s tennis are up for debate.
Will Serena’s return reveal more about her excellence, or overshadow Aryna Sabalenka's dominance?
If a 44-year-old mother of two who hasn’t played a singles match in four years can defeat players young enough to be her daughter, what does that say about the quality of women's tennis?
During a press conference at the French Open, Sabalenka welcomed the news about Serena’s return to doubles and possibly singles at Wimbledon.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s fun, that’s cool. She has a really cool personality. She’s fun, and she’s a legend. It’s inspiring to see," said Sabalenka. "I’m actually excited to see her play and probably face her, so it's very cool. It's very good news for tennis."
Sabalenka will arrive at Wimbledon having been the top-ranked player on the WTA Tour for more than 85 consecutive weeks. After failing to return to the French Open finals and with semifinal points to defend at Wimbledon, Sabalenka's No. 1 ranking is in jeopardy. Her legacy could take a hit, too.
Despite maintaining a grip on No. 1, Sabalenka has yet to distance herself from the field. She’s tied with Naomi Osaka with four Major titles and trails Iga Swiatek, who has five Grand Slam titles, including wins on grass, clay and hard courts.
Meanwhile, Serena has little to lose. If she gets bounced in the first round, she’s 44 and hasn’t played in four years. Her status doesn’t change. She remains the GOAT. Returning to tennis is a win-win for her. If Serena advances to the second week, it elevates her standing and diminishes Sabalenka's.
Sabalenka turned 28 in May. In an era when women are playing professional tennis in their late 30s and returning from maternity leave, Sabalenka’s career is far from over. Yet, with Serena back in the mix, the comparisons and questions are coming. Could Sabalenka ever reach GOAT status? Is she playing in a weak era? How would peak Serena perform against today's competition?
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles Final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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Serena’s 23 Major titles are the most by any female player in the Open Era. Sabalenka has four, all on hard courts.
By Spring 2009, Serena, then 27, had won 9 Grand Slam singles titles. This included wins on every surface. Sabalenka has reached the final of every Major except Wimbledon.
In 2025, Sabalenka was the first woman to defend her U.S. Open title since Serena in 2014. Serena is the last woman to defend her title (2015, 2016) at Wimbledon.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA NOVEMBER 1:Aryna Sabalenka poses with the WTA Chris Evert World No. 1 trophy after securing the year-end WTA top ranking, during a ceremony on Day 1 of the WTA Finals Riyadh at King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 1, 2025. (Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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In April, Sabalenka passed Martina Hingis (80) to climb to the Top 10 of consecutive weeks at No. 1 list. If she leaves Wimbledon, still ranked No. 1, Sabalenka could climb to No. 9. She’d still need nearly 100 more consecutive at No. 1 to catch Serena and Steffi Graf.
Serena and Graf are tied at 186 for most consecutive weeks at No. 1. Sabalenka reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in October, 2024 and hasn’t let go, yet.
Consecutive Weeks at No. 1 (since 1975)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 01: Serena Williams of the United States serves to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during their women's singles fourth round match on Day Eight of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Even before Williams signed with Nike, she wore iconic custom tennis outfits. Her 2002 Puma catsuit landed in a museum. Sabalenka loves fashion on and off the court, but has yet to land the type of custom kits that Osaka has.
Earlier this year, at the 2026 Australian Open, Sabalenka wore a semi-custom look designed as a tribute to Williams and Maria Sharapova. After a reporter asked her about her Nike wardrobe, Sabalenka gave an underwhelming response but was optimistic about next year.
"Maybe we should just start messaging Nike on Instagram and like putting some pressure on, but let’s wait for 2027 because that year is going to be sick," she said.
Sabalenka finally got her wish at the French Open when she wore a different, but not exclusive, kit. Bling is more her thing. Sabalenka routinely walks on the court with more than $200,000 dangling from her neck.
Despite efforts to brand herself as a fashionista, Sabalenka hasn’t had much impact on tennis style.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Serena Williams with the winners trophy after defeating Angelique Kerber in the women's final of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at Wimbledon on July 09, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
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When it comes to grass-court success, Sabalenka is no match for Serena. Few women are. Graf also has seven. Navratilova is the only player in the Open Era with more Wimbledon singles titles (9) than Serena.
Sabalenka reached the semifinals three times but has yet to reach the final at Wimbledon.
"I am a little concerned about Sabalenka, to be honest with you," said ESPN commentator and former pro Mary Joe Fernandez during an online press conference. "Because she was coming in playing really well, and I feel like her game translates to all the surfaces, and it should translate to the grass, with you know, how powerful she hits the ball, and she's got a weapon in the serve and weapon the returns."
Fernandez is less concerned about Serena's chances at Wimbledon.
“But Serena, at first, I kind of question why she would come back on the grass, because I think it's a tough surface, you know, right away to do well on," said Fernandez. “But I guess that’s where she feels at home. She's won it seven times.”
Serena is 98-14 at Wimbledon. She’s reached the final 11 times, including twice after returning from maternity leave. She also has six Wimbledon doubles titles. She and Venus are 6-0 in doubles finals at Wimbledon. They also won a gold medal on the grass at Wimbledon during the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Earlier this month, when Serena returned to doubles at the Queen's Club Championships, she told reporters, "I don't need to win." However, now that she's playing singles, she won't be able to avoid being compared to her contemporaries, no matter their age.
Serena went 1-1 against Graf in the brief time they were both on the tour. Graf retired in 1999. Had she returned 10 years after retirement, age 40, Graf would have landed during the resurgence of Serena’s career. That didn’t happen, so tennis fans are left to speculate.
Serena’s return will provide evidence, even if only anecdotal, as to how bygone and present eras compare. If Sabalenka is the standard-bearer of today’s WTA, Serena might serve as a barometer of the state of the game.
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