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Russian (RU) Serena Williams’ singles return at Wimbledon has become official. And while the tennis community rallies behind the returning legend, few from the sport’s inner circle have criticized Wimbledon for handing her a wildcard, with one prominent insider calling Williams’ move a “stunt.”
Well-known tennis insider Craig Shapiro recently took a jab at Williams’ highly anticipated singles return on his X account. Shapiro argued that a player who has been out of competition for four years should not receive a direct entry into a Grand Slam without even playing a warm-up tournament.
“Wild to accept a wc into a major after being long retired, over the hill- without playing one tournament in many years, imo.”
He then linked Williams’ wildcard entry to celebrity boxing matches while also expressing shock at Wimbledon’s involvement in something he views as a publicity stunt:
“Feels like a stunt- one of these “boxing” matches featuring Jake Paul, or Mike Tyson for that matter. Surprised Wimbledon involved themselves in this.”
Shapiro did not stop there. He disagreed with the widespread excitement surrounding the 23-time Grand Slam winner’s return, arguing that it reflected poorly on the current scenario of women’s tennis:
“journalists writing how exciting this is- I couldn’t disagree more. it seems like an indictment of women’s tennis, that the level is so bad a one time great player that last won a pro match 8 years ago would return at the most important tournament without even playing a warmup.”
As the criticism continues, Wimbledon has already provided Williams with a singles and a doubles wildcard. After competing in two grass-court Opens this month, it remains to be seen if the returning legend has built the right kind of momentum needed to tackle Wimbledon.
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Serena Williams To Reunite With Sister Venus Williams for an Epic Wimbledon Doubles Run
The Williams sisters are reuniting for a doubles run at Wimbledon, a decade later. The duo has won the doubles title at this prestigious Grand Slam six times and established themselves as one of the strongest doubles teams in tennis history.
While Venus continues to actively compete, for Serena, this is the first time in four years that she will step onto the English lawn. The sisters last played doubles together at the 2022 U.S. Open, where they lost the opening match.
Serena Williams has managed to recondition her body for the grass through her recent endeavors in England, starting with her inaugural win alongside Victoria Mboko in the Queen’s Club tournaments’ doubles match.
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