Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has declared that Serena Williams could still beat '75 per cent of the tour' following her competitive return to professional tennis at SW19. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, lost 3-6 7-6 3-6 to Australia's Maya Joint in her first singles match in 1,396 days, having accepted two wildcards from the All England Club.
Promising signs despite defeat
Williams showed glimpses of her best form, fighting back after going a set and a break down, but the 44-year-old eventually faded. The defeat marked Joint's first second-round appearance at Wimbledon. Williams is still scheduled to play women's doubles with her sister Venus, but her future beyond the tournament remains uncertain.
Cash, however, was impressed by the American's level. 'I was a bit cynical and very curious about what was going to happen in this match,' Cash told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'What we saw is two people playing very good tennis and Maya being able to handle the pace of Serena: not just the odd shot but it was constant. Serena played an incredible level.'
Cash's bold prediction
Cash, who won Wimbledon in 1987, believes Williams will continue playing and could become a 'real handful' if she builds on this performance. 'I was very cynical because we've seen Venus make these comebacks over the last couple of years, and she's barely won a match and I thought, 'oh don't tell me Serena's going to come out and play this poor standard of tennis',' he said. 'I was kind of cringing, hoping that wouldn't be the case and it absolutely wasn't. Serena played very, very good tennis and I reckon she would have beaten 75 per cent of the tour the way she played today, even more, but Joint was equal to it. It was incredibly high-standard tennis and, wow, if Serena plays this way and she wants to play some more tennis, she is going to be a real handful.'
Croft echoes praise
Former British tennis player Annabel Croft also hailed Williams' performance and suggested fans will see her play again. Asked about a potential US Open appearance, Croft said: 'I think so. This was her first match and that's what is so jaw-dropping about it. If that is the level of your first match back, imagine if she plays a bit more? I guess the factor will be if her body can stand up to it. How is she going to feel tomorrow and had she won today, then she'd have to keep backing up matches. But I think now I'm looking at her today and thinking 'how on earth did we doubt that she wasn't sure if she was going to come back to playing singles?' We all thought she was just going to be playing doubles with Venus, maybe at the US Open. Now I'm looking at it thinking, no, you have been secretly practising for weeks, months; smacking balls and you are as fit as you can possibly be and so prepared for this comeback at Wimbledon. There is no question about that.'
Williams' statement and doubles plans
Williams did not speak to the media after her defeat but issued a brief statement: 'It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.' She is scheduled to return to doubles action with Venus against Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio.
