Why Serena Williams Can Still Be Dangerous on Grass

Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon at 44 with obvious physical questions—but also with advantages few comeback players possess. Alvin Owusu and Anastasia examine why her serve, return positioning, first-strike instincts and accumulated grass-court intelligence could still make her dangerous without requiring anything close to her prime form.

Her prospects may depend less on ranking than on matchup. A favorable early opponent could allow Serena to shorten points, establish rhythm and let the pressure of the occasion work in her favor. A composed mover who extends exchanges and refuses to play Serena’s reputation, however, could expose the limits of the comeback immediately.

The episode also considers whether Wimbledon should pursue an instant blockbuster or allow Serena’s story to develop through the draw, before turning to Aryna Sabalenka’s grass-court credentials and the assumption that completing the career Grand Slam is inevitable.

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