Serena Williams' longevity has been incredible, but an old clip of the American shows she did not always intend on playing for as long as she has.
Willaims' is set to make her tennis comeback after close to 12 months out. The American's last appearance was at last year's Wimbledon Championships when she retired from her first-round match with a right leg injury.
Unfortunately, the injury was serious. Long-term injuries are more problematic for players in the latter stages of their careers, sometimes leading to their retirement.
Many worried that Williams may retire after being out for so long. She is 40-years-old and has nothing left to prove to anyone after an extraordinary career spanning more than two decades.
However, Williams' love for the sport stopped her from quitting when many others may have. That is why she will return in the doubles at the Eastbourne International before making what will undoubtedly be an emotional return to Wimbledon.
Interestingly, the 23-time Grand Slam champion did not always have the desire to play to 40-years-old. A clip of Williams from 2010 has resurfaced, and she makes evident how little she wants to play for that long.
The video below is from her press conference after winning her fourth Wimbledon title in 2010. A reporter asked her if she thinks she will still be playing at the age of 38. Williams gave a response that was humorous and direct in equal measure.
"38? If I am, I want you to personally take me off and escort me off the court. There's no way I need to be out here at 38."
The lives of top athletes like Williams can often be stressful. Therefore, it is understandable that playing until she was 38-years-old seemed like an impossibility nearly 12 years ago when the American was still in her twenties.
Williams' love for the sport turned out to be higher than she realized. At 40, she will step onto the court at Wimbledon, and fans cannot wait to see her back in action.