Novak Djokovic Calls Serena Williams’ Comeback ‘Truly Inspirational’

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 15: Serena Williams of the USA and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose with the trophies during the 2016 Australian Open official draw at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

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Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are the respective GOATs of men’s and women’s tennis, and both will take center stage when Wimbledon begins this week.

Both are bidding for an eighth Wimbledon singles title.

Djokovic, 39, told the 44-year-old Williams that her comeback is “truly inspirational” ahead of her first competitive singles match in nearly four years.

Williams, who last played singles at the 2022 U.S. Open, will take on Australia’s Maya Joint, who committed to Texas before turning pro, in the third match on Centre Court on Tuesday. Williams, a 50/1 shot to win her record-tying 24th major, is also slated to play doubles with her sister Venus, 46, on Wednesday.

“First and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic,” Djokovic, who is bidding for a record 25th major, said Saturday. “That’s what I told her. I always admired her career, her journey, her story. Of course, Venus’ as well.

“For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort to, not just for her own satisfaction or coming back on the tour, but also to give all of us a pleasure of seeing her back on the court is remarkable.”

He says he’s seen her working hard ahead of her return.

“I see her in the gym more than I have seen her when she was at her prime,” Djokovic said. “It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible. It’s admirable, honestly, the effort she’s putting in. Of course, all eyes are on her, her comeback. I just hope that she will enjoy because she really deserves [to

Djokovic, who has not won a major since the U.S. Open in 2023, opens Monday against China’s Wu Yibing.

He said he told Williams that “whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally — I’m sure for millions around the world.”

When Williams takes the court Tuesday, it will have been over 1,400 days since she last competed in a singles match at The All-England Club.

“I mean, Serena is obviously the greatest female player of all time,” her close friend and former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki said Friday on “Morning Joe.”

“She’s the toughest competitor I’ve ever played. If anyone can do it, she can…She’s serving at 120 mph, her shoulder’s feeling great, she’s moving well, she’s super fit. And I think she just realized, ‘Wow, I’m ahead of where I thought I was going to be on the schedule. And it’s going to be great to see her, I’m very excited, obviously.”

Serena and Venus, who learned tennis from their father Richard on outdoor public hardcourts in Compton, Calif., both rose to No. 1 in the world, and inspired millions of people of color along the way.

“I played the sport because of them, believed that I could do things because of them. I look up to them a lot,” said No. 7 seed Coco Gauff.

Added world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka: “It’s amazing what she’s doing. Also it’s Serena Williams, everyone was talking about that. She’s bringing more eyes on tennis. It’s a good thing for tennis. I’m really excited to see her play.”

As for Djokovic, he was drawn to meet world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals and is the second favorite to win the title, even at 39.

He has not played since losing to Joao Fonseca in the third round of Roland Garros and has battled a shoulder injury in recent weeks.

“I think I’m better prepared here than I was for Roland Garros,” he said. “… I always loved playing on grass. I have a very good history in Wimbledon. That gives me a higher dose of confidence coming into the tournament.

“Roland Garros was physically very draining, demanding. Three matches that I played, all of them went almost four hours. But I’m proud of the effort.”