Serena Williams will come across it ‘super difficult’ to contend for Wimbledon victory, says Karolina Pliskova

Karolina Pliskova believes it will be “tremendous hard” for Serena Williams to problem for an additional Grand Slam title at Wimbledon after a 12 months absent from tennis.

Williams hasn’t played because struggling a leg injury in the very first spherical of Wimbledon in 2021, but is competing in the doubles at this week’s Eastbourne Intercontinental with Ons Jabeur in advance of hoping to win an eighth Wimbledon singles title.

Pliskova, who lost to Ashleigh Barty in last year’s Wimbledon last, thinks Williams could discover it tricky going on her return.

“I never know how prolonged it has been since she has performed. Has it been a calendar year? It is a prolonged time and she is not the youngest any additional so I suppose the entire body also normally takes some time to get back into form.

“Playing matches at tournaments is nonetheless incredibly much diverse to just practising and from what I comprehend, she is not playing (singles) listed here [in Eastbourne], she is just taking part in doubles.

“I believe it will be tough, tremendous complicated for her no make a difference which variety of player she is because this is a detail in which you nonetheless require some time.

“But of course, she is an amazing player, she reached so a great deal and continue to a variety of players will be tremendous worried to enjoy her. This is her advantage but let us see the stage. I can not seriously say.”

Pliskova retains a 2-2 earn-loss history against Williams and received their most modern meeting in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Australian Open up.

Williams is still bidding to earn a 24th Grand Slam title to equivalent Margaret Court’s all-time file.

Regardless of doubts over Williams’ conditioning, earth No. 4 Paula Badosa suggests she does not want to face the American at Wimbledon.

“I believe it surprised all people but it truly is incredibly great to have her back again. It genuinely amazes me how she has all this starvation for the game,” mentioned Badosa.

“It is a excellent inspiration. It is pleasant to have her back and I hope she can be back again for much much more time since I feel she does very fantastic for tennis.

“But the other facet, of program I will not want to perform towards her! I hope the attract goes for another player since no a single would like to engage in versus Serena and considerably less on grass. Let us pray for that!”

Williams and Jabeur will enjoy unseeded duo Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo in the initial round on Tuesday, and if they advance will take on both No. 4 seeds Lucie Hradecka and Sania Mirza, or Shuko Aoyama and Chan Hao-Ching.

“I wished to inform absolutely everyone, but definitely I couldn’t,” the planet No. 3 informed the WTA Tour.

“I explained to my household, but even my close pals, I failed to tell everyone.

“Fired up, genuinely blessed that she picked me. I’m fairly happy that I can share the courtroom with her. I generally viewed Serena playing and often supported her.

“She’s this kind of a legend and this kind of an case in point for our sport. I’m definitely nervous to engage in. I hope the match will be wonderful and we are going to have terrific matches.

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