Serena Williams “wasn’t sure” about playing singles at Wimbledon — and had to convince herself to accept a wild card for the tournament.
The tennis legend, who returned to the sport earlier this month in doubles action, had previously decided to team up with her sister Venus in London.
But the decision to accept what was the tournament’s last singles wild card, according to the Associated Press, was more difficult.
“I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I’ll ever make it here again. This could be it,” the 44-year-old told reporters Sunday.
“I was like, ‘What’s wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this,” she continued. “People live to be an athlete. I have this great opportunity to showcase what I do, what I do best, I suppose. Yeah, I think ultimately I was like ‘That’s pretty cool, so I should do it.’”
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner in singles, added that she made her decision one day before the deadline on Monday, and is “still not even sure” about her decision to return to singles.
She teamed up with 19-year-old Victoria Mboko in doubles at the Queen’s Club tournament earlier this month in her return to the sport.
Williams later played with Karolina Muchova at the Berlin Open.
The Williams sisters last won a Wimbledon title in 2016, and will face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round this year.
Meanwhile, Serena will face 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint on Tuesday.
“Yeah, actually I know her. I’ve watched some of her videos. I’m sure she knows my game,” Williams said.
She famously announced she was “evolving” away from tennis in 2022, without using the word retirement.
She hadn’t played since then before her return this year, which followed months of speculation about a potential comeback.
“I expect to be nervous,” she said on Sunday.
“I was also nervous every single match I ever played in my life. I think that showed the passion and the love and the care, that I cared about my job, whether it was the first round or the second round or the finals. I’ve always had some nerves. But then I just dust ’em off, then I move on.”
