Serena Williams spotted in telling move after Wimbledon 'disgrace'
Serena Williams has taken advantage of Wimbledon's decision to allow players to practice on Centre Court at the All England Club this year in response to nasty scenes that plagued the tournament last year.
Wimbledon organisers have gone against 145 years of tradition in 2022 in allowing players to practice on the main courts at the grass-court grand slam for the first time ever.
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Practicing on the main courts at Wimbledon has always been off-limits, with organisers desperate to keep the surface in good condition for the two weeks of the tournament.
However that has all changed this year, with organisers desperate to avoid a repeat of last year's farcical scenes in which a number of players were injured after falling on the slippery grass.
Williams was the most-high profile case and was forced to retire hurt in tears during her first-round match.
Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios were among other players to suffer nasty falls, while Adrian Mannarino also retired hurt against Roger Federer in the very next match on Centre Court after Williams.
Addressing the situation at the time, organisers said there was excess moisture on the courts because the roof had been closed for extended periods due to heavy rainfall in London.
This caused an increase in humidity and moisture inside the main arenas and left the surface extra slippery.
Djokovic and Andy Murray were among a number of players to criticise the surface, while a number of fans labelled the situation a 'disgrace.
In an attempt to avoid a repeat this year, organisers have taken the extraordinary step of allowing players to practice on the main courts in the lead-up to the tournament in the hope that the courts will be more 'worn in'.
Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic were both spotted taking advantage of the 145-year first on Friday, while Iga Swiatek and Williams also headed out for a hit on Centre Court on Saturday.
As you know its the firs time in the history of Wimbledon that some players are allowed to practice in centre court and court1. Williams was one of the players that slipped in the past
— Jannik Schneider (@schnejan) June 24, 2022
Iga Swiatek 'overwhelmed' to see Serena Williams
Williams could be seen arriving for her session just moments before Swiatek finished, however the two stars didn't cross paths.
World No.1 Swiatek said she was "overwhelmed" to see Williams back at Wimbledon, one year after her devastating exit.
Williams, a seven-time champion at the All England Club and still chasing an elusive 24th grand slam title, will be playing her first singles match since her tearful, injury-enforced withdrawal last year.
The 40-year-old played two doubles matches with Ons Jabeur in Eastbourne last week, but is yet to return to singles action.
"I saw her yesterday, I was pretty overwhelmed," said Swiatek, the recently-crowned French Open champion.
"I didn't know how to react. I wanted to meet her. I saw that she had so many people around her. I don't know her team. It was pretty weird.
"But just seeing her around is great because she's such a legend, there's nobody that has done so much in tennis."
Swiatek wasn't even born when Williams made her Wimbledon debut in 1998.
But the Polish star said she appreciates the ground-breaking achievements of the American and still sees the 40-year-old as a genuine threat despite her lengthy absence.
"I'm pretty sure that she's going to be in good shape because she has so much experience coming back from breaks or just playing in grand slams. I think she can use it," said the 21-year-old.
with AFP
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