Novak Djokovic defends Serena Williams after Wimbledon comeback, urges critics to 'enjoy greatness'

Williams, making her first singles appearance at the All England Club since 2022 and her first singles match in nearly four years, was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 by 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint.

Despite the loss, the seven-time Wimbledon champion showed flashes of her old brilliance, firing a 122mph ace and pushing her much younger opponent to three sets before eventually running out of steam.

Speaking after his second-round victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic said expectations surrounding Williams remain unrealistically high because of the standards she set during her illustrious career.

"People always expect you to play at your best because they're used to seeing you dominate the sport for many years," Djokovic said.

"She's 44. She has two children. Coming back, it's normal that she still is not at her best in terms of movement. She hasn't played a match in so many years.

"People need to cool off a little bit with judgment and criticism and everything. Let's just enjoy the greatness, who she is, what she represents to the sport."

The Serbian, himself a seven-time Wimbledon champion and record 24-time Grand Slam winner, said he could relate to the pressure of trying to live up to past achievements later in a career.

"What Serena is doing is incredible. It's epic. I have always been a fan of her," Djokovic said. "Her wanting to give it a try and just come back is an incredible gift for our sport.

"It's like, 'Hey guys, enjoy. You have the greatest ever coming to play for you and bring more attention to your sport.'"

Williams had insisted before the tournament that she arrived at Wimbledon with no expectations beyond enjoying herself. However, Djokovic believes the fiercely competitive American would have wanted more than simply making an appearance.

"I'm sure she wanted and expected deep down inside to at least win one match or more," he said.

"Knowing how competitive she is and the mind of a champion she has, she's not happy with just showing up on the court. She wants to win."

Questions remain over whether Williams' comeback will continue beyond Wimbledon. She had also accepted a wild card into the doubles draw alongside sister Venus Williams, but revealed she tweaked her right knee during the singles defeat to Joint, casting doubt over their participation.

The sisters had been scheduled to face Colombia's Camila Osorio and Argentina's Solana Sierra in the opening round, marking their first Wimbledon doubles appearance together since winning the title in 2016.

Djokovic, who publicly challenged Williams to return to the tour during last year's US Open, hopes her comeback extends to her home major later this season.

"I hope, for the sake of tennis and all of us, that we will be able to see her more," he said.

"I assume that the US Open is somewhere she would like to play. Playing in her home slam would be amazing for her and for everyone else."

Williams last played singles at the US Open in 2022, where she lost in three sets to Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic. Whether Wimbledon proves to be a one-off return or the beginning of another chapter in her storied career remains uncertain, but Djokovic believes her mere presence on court deserves celebration rather than scrutiny.

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