World No. 3 Ons Jabeur says she hopes Serena Williams lands in Iga Swiatek’s part of the Wimbledon draw as she jokingly said that it’s time for someone to stop the Pole.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, hasn’t played since retiring injured her Wimbledon first round match 12 months ago.
Last Tuesday, Williams was announced a Wimbledon main draw wildcard recipient.
Williams has had lots of success at Wimbledon throughout her career as she is a seven-time champion at the tournament.
On the other side, world No. 1 Swiatek has won her last 35 matches and will be gunning for her seventh consecutive title at Wimbledon.
“I hope she [draws] Iga,” Jabeur said, as quoted on the WTA website. “At least someone should stop Iga a little bit.”
Jabeur hopes Williams lands in Swiatek’s part of draw
Even though Williams has been out for a very long time, many feel she can’t be underestimated.
Among those who feel Williams could be a threat is Eurosport tennis expert Barbara Schett.
Williams is now ranked outside the top-1000 and theoretically there is a chance she meets Swiatek in the first round.
Reflecting on Williams’ return, Schett said no player will want to play Williams.
“I think if you’re out for a whole year, it’s very difficult because you’re not playing any matches,” Schett said on Eurosport. “Even if you only practise a lot. It’s not the same. But one thing is for sure, nobody wants to play against Serena Williams, so the other 127 players are going to be scared to draw Serena Williams. I think with her game style, she has a big serve. If she has been practising, that will help her a lot. But the matter is, how is her movement going to be on the grass court? But we all know that’s the hardest area, the hardest surface to actually move [on]. And I think we [will] get a better idea when she plays that first match. But I’m sure she’s going to be very rusty. Plus, she’s 40 years old, which for a tennis player is quite old, unfortunately.”