“It took me like two hours to leave the locker room”: Serena Williams revisits her traumatic Wimbledon experience
WTAWednesday, 19 August 2026 at 22:30
Serena Williams had barely returned to competitive tennis when another chapter of the Williams sisters’ story came to an end in Cincinnati. Four years after their last appearance together in 2022, Serena and Venus reunited on the doubles court, only to fall to Peyton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk 10-8 in the deciding-set match tiebreak.
The result ended one of the most anticipated reunions of the Cincinnati Open, but the defeat was hardly the only story. Serena’s return to the courts had already created enormous interest, and sharing that comeback with Venus gave the occasion an added layer after the sisters had not played together since Serena’s final appearance at the 2022 US Open.
Their partnership was once among the most successful in tennis, with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals. The Cincinnati comeback therefore represented more than another doubles appearance: it was the first time the sisters had reunited competitively since Serena stepped away from tennis.
For Serena, however, the return has also carried a very different emotional weight. Her Wimbledon comeback ended with a knee injury that left her facing an unexpectedly difficult recovery, and she admitted afterward that the experience had been deeply difficult. “That was a little traumatic experience for me,” Serena said in press conference. “It took me like two hours to leave the locker room that night, and it's been a long recovery.”
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“This is not long”: Serena Williams sees her comeback differently
Serena was candid about how different this stage of her career feels compared with the relentless schedule that defined most of her career. Asked whether the return to competition had been jarring after years away, she acknowledged that the atmosphere felt unfamiliar.
“I wouldn't say jarring, but definitely I wouldn't say surprising, but it's weird because I'm so not used to it and I'm so used to having a different night on Monday night,” Serena said. “But Monday nights are, you know, I guess I never know what to expect.”
The biggest change, though, appears to be her relationship with the process itself. Serena admitted that competing is now something she is experiencing with a different perspective, particularly after stepping away from the tour and becoming a mother.
“I never really enjoyed the process, but I think this time I'm enjoying the process a little bit more than I've ever have,” she said. “And it's kind of just having a different view of it. And it's also like this isn't forever. This is like not long, so it's also just fun to know that too. I'm not playing every week. I'm not showing up every week. I have kids, so it's a little bit different.”
That perspective also shaped what Serena and Venus wanted from their Cincinnati reunion. The result mattered, but it was not the only objective.
“I think winning is obviously great, but I think in this position, just having fun,” Serena said. “I didn't come out here to win this tournament, obviously I wanted to do the best I could do, but I think having fun and also just seeing how we are and how we feel out there, and being out there with the fans too is just really good.”
Venus and Serena find their way back to each other
The sisters had not needed much convincing to reunite. Venus explained that they had been waiting for the opportunity to return to the doubles court together, even before Serena's latest comeback became a reality.
“I think we've waited a long time to get back on the doubles court, even this year,” Venus said. “So I think eventually we would find our way to each other.”
Once they were back on court, the connection that had produced so much success was still visible, although both acknowledged that communication could not simply be assumed because they are sisters.
“We give each other so much grace and encouragement,” Serena said. “I mean, it's our first time playing together forever too, and I think we really were getting our stride for sure. So this was great for us to get out there and do it, but communication is always key.”
For Venus, the reunion also offered a reminder of why the game has remained important after decades at the highest level. She described their approach as essentially unchanged, even after time away.
“I think the approach is definitely the same, the process and the method,” Venus added. “I take a lot of joy, and perhaps Serena too, in the process. We've been doing it so long too, and for Serena perhaps she was away and even I was away for a while too, and it's like going back to ride a bike. It's what you've always done.”
Cincinnati ultimately delivered an early exit, but the sisters left with something more difficult to quantify: another chance to share a court after four years apart. For Serena, whose latest comeback remains surrounded by uncertainty, that may have been the point all along.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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