Serena Williams is making a comeback at Wimbledon, stepping onto Centre Court after a four-year break from singles tennis. She faces 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in a much-anticipated opening-round match. Williams, who has won Wimbledon singles titles seven times, has not played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open. She participated in doubles earlier this month.

Jon Wertheim from Sports Illustrated highlighted the impact of Williams’ return. “She is still Serena Williams,” he remarked during an interview on NPR’s Morning Edition. Wertheim noted that her presence significantly influences the atmosphere. Though he considers an eighth Wimbledon title for Williams unlikely, he believes she has a strong chance in her first-round match.

In the wider women’s tournament, the competition appears open. Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player, defending champion Iga Świątek, and American Jessica Pegula are among the favorites.

On the men’s side, defending champion Jannik Sinner is considered a favorite despite a challenging five-set victory in his opening match. Wertheim also identified Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe as notable players, suggesting that the U.S. could perform well in future competitions.

To hear the full interview, listen to the NPR segment adapted for the web by Majd Al-Waheidi and edited by Treye Green.