Williams has not won a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open, when she was 35. She has since given birth to two daughters – Olympia, now aged eight, and two-year-old Adira.
After her first comeback in 2018, Williams reached four Grand Slam finals – twice at Wimbledon and twice at the US Open – but lost them all.
Her past two Wimbledon appearances – in 2021 and 2022 – have ended in first-round defeats.
What Williams has in her favour is one of the greatest technical talents ever seen – and an incomparable aura.
Winning a 24th major to tie Margaret Court’s all-time women’s record seems out of reach, but Williams will have looked at the open nature of the WTA Tour and felt there are plenty of players she can still beat.
The power and accuracy of her serve was particularly effective on the grass and she will be hoping her opening shot can earn her plenty of free points.
Her odds of winning matches are certainly favourable at Wimbledon, especially if she faces a relatively inexperienced opponent who may get overawed by what is bound to be an electric occasion on Centre Court.
World number nine Victoria Mboko played doubles with Williams at Queen’s and was convinced the veteran is “ready to go”.
“She has such clean ball striking. She could take years off and once she steps on the court she could probably find her rhythm and timing again,” said the 19-year-old Canadian.
“I think that’s really a god-given gift she has. I’m hitting with her and she’s hitting pretty big.”
In her pomp, Williams was the embodiment of fitness and athleticism.
Last year, she admitted she had used weight loss drugs in order to lift what she called the “stigma” around using such medication.
Williams said she had struggled to lose weight she had gained during pregnancy – a common experience for many women – and returns to tennis looking lean.
“We’ve all seen her. She looks in incredible shape and better shape than arguably when she left the sport,” Davenport said.
“But we have got to be a little graceful in the time we give her until she hits her peak.”
Williams might not get anywhere near her best and she doesn’t know how long this comeback will last.
But one thing is certain: the woman who many consider to be the GOAT will go down swinging in pursuit of restoring former glory.
