Chris Evert believes Serena Williams remains a contender ‘to win anything’ on the women’s tour ahead of the Wimbledon Championships.
The 37-year-old will be bidding to win her 23rd grand slam title at the All England Club and her first since becoming a mother. Williams hasn’t played a match since losing in the third round of the French Open. So far this season, the American has played in five tournaments. Winning nine out of 12 matches contested.
Williams enters the grand slam with a question mark over her current form. She had previously indicated that she might play a warm-up event on the grass prior to Wimbledon, but didn’t do so. Something Evert believes could go against her in the coming weeks.
“I think it would have helped, for sure, just so she can gauge where she is on the grass and what she needs to work on.” Evert told reporters at an ESPN press event.
“Even if she would have lost in the second round or quarters, Serena is the type of player that learns a lot from her losses. She can make those adjustments.”
Since starting her comeback last year, Williams is yet to win a title. Although she did reach back-to-back major finals in 2018 at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Losing to Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka. However, she is yet to reach the quarter-final stage at any event outside of the grand slams during that period.
“The one difference that I see in Serena is since she’s come back, she’s been one or two steps slower than normal. I think that’s a little bit of fitness.” Evert explained.
“I think it’s a little bit of match play. I think it’s a little bit of confidence.”
Whilst the previous dominance by the American player has gone, the threat she poses to her rivals is still there. She is already a seven-time Wimbledon champion and only Martina Navratilova have won more singles titles than her at the tournament in the Open Era. Overall, she has won 92 out of 103 main draw matches played at Wimbledon since 1998.
“On the grass, we also can’t forget that’s her best surface. That’s a surface that her game, with the power, with the free points on the serves, she’s the most effective on the grass. I have a feeling she’s been practicing hard, and I never think you can count her out.” The 64-year-old said of Williams.
“As long as she’s playing, she’s going to be a threat to win anything. But it’s just now there’s more things that can go wrong, I suppose, like more days where she might not have it and other days where players won’t give in as easily. So that just makes it more difficult.” She added.
As to how fit Williams needs to be to win the title, Evert believes she ‘doesn’t need to be 100%.’ Putting the figure down to an estimated 80%.
The draw for Wimbledon will take place on Friday with the tournament getting underway on Monday.
