Associated Press
WIMBLEDON, England ó Two simple words at the end of a June 7 tweet said it all: “Serena’s back!”
And Venus is, too.
Yes, as Serena Williams announced to the world less than two weeks ago, the most successful tennis-playing siblings in history are returning from lengthy layoffs right on time for Wimbledon, where they just so happen to have won nine of the past 11 singles championships.
For Serena, it will be her first Grand Slam tournament ó and only second event ó since she took home a second consecutive title from the All England Club in July 2010. Her nearly yearlong absence resulted from a series of health issues, including two foot operations and blood clots in her lungs, that she said left her depressed and “on my deathbed.” Venus, meanwhile, was sidelined by a hip injury from January until June.
When the grass-court Grand Slam tournament begins Monday, all eyes will be on them.
“I feel like we’ve been on a similar road together. Her road hasn’t been as arduous or as long as mine, but I know what she’s been through coming back,” Serena said at a tuneup tournament this week in Eastbourne, England. “We’ve been really enjoying our time just getting back together.î