Serena Williams cancels practice session Ahead Of Comeback in Eastbourne
WTA
Fans are buzzing about Serena Williams's long-awaited return, but those hoping to watch her practice the day before her scheduled match in Eastbourne were left disappointed after she canceled her session.
Williams is not playing singles at the Eastbourne International. She is beginning her comeback cautiously by playing doubles alongside the recent WTA Berlin Open champion, Ons Jabeur.
The pair will face Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo in the opening round. They are a solid pair, but Williams and Jabeur will believe they have a good chance of progressing to the quarterfinal.
Williams' singles return will be at Wimbledon next week. The seven-time champion at SW19 is likely to be unseeded for the event, meaning many players in the draw will be worried about facing the 40-year-old.
It is poetic that Williams will make her singles comeback at Wimbledon. Last year, she sustained a leg injury that kept her out for nearly a year after slipping on the lush grass courts on Centre Court.
The tennis legend trained with fellow American player Frances Tiafoe in Eastbourne ahead of her match on Tuesday. She was scheduled to have another practice on Monday but changed her mind.
Williams's decision to be cautious is entirely understandable. She has worked so hard to return to the court after a year out of the game, and any move that could jeopardize her work needs to be avoided at all costs.
That also explains her decision to play only doubles at the Eastbourne International. Although Williams is confident of being able to compete in the singles at Wimbledon, the physical toll of singles matches the week before the event in London would be too much of a strain.
Tennis fans worldwide will be following Williams' first match back in Eastbourne. Hopefully, she will come through it without any physical issues.
