The superstition behind Serena Williams comeback: "Always positions herself with her back to us, exactly the same as four-and-a-half years ago"

Serena Williams comeback captivated the tennis world and while it is wondered whether she will continue said comeback now, the tennis world stopped for a few days to gaze upon Serena mania which has been confirmed as a notion with very little changing.

Williams lost out to Maya Joint on Tuesday night in three sets with the 20-year-old Aussie seen as perfect prey for a 44-year-old Williams. While she has won titles and been as high as World No.28, wins have been very hard to come by.

She has lost more than she has won in the past 15 months or so since she won Eastbourne losing her last 12 and has been unwell or injured since the turn of the year ironically when the Aussie tennis world would've been at her feet.

She was the top ranked player and with Daria Kasatkina faltering and others such as Ajla Tomljanovic, Emerson Jones among others either not at the races or not ready, it was time for the introverted Michigan born teen to step into the spotlight.

She dropped like a stone in the rankings and it was seen as a good draw for Serena. But speaking before the win, Barbara Rittner on Prime Video said it was akin to the World Cup and marvelled both about Serena and also how much media likely Joint had to do. She next faces another teen starlet in Alex Eala.

"Wherever you go, everyone is talking about Serena Williams' comeback. She's facing Maya Joint, the 20-year-old Australian who has shot up the rankings during 2025. She's a very versatile player and can play really well on grass," said Rittner prior to the match. "I'm fascinated to see who handles the mental side better. Serena said she used to get nervous, but now she's even more nervous. But my goodness, just think about what Maya Joint has experienced over the last few days. The TV ratings in the United States should be tremendous. I think they could even compete with the World Cup."

While it also paid heed to superstitions that Andrea Petkovic who has long been abreast of the comeback has said she still uses. Compared to when Serena retired, Petko now inhabits a new space as a member of the media and said she maintains the training away from the spotlight and on a specific court.

"Ever since I've known Serena Williams, she's always warmed up on Court 8 here at Aorangi. The media can't really get close with the cameras there. She also always positions herself with her back to us. All those little rituals and routines are exactly the same as they were four-and-a-half years ago. It just proves once again how important superstition and routine are in tennis."

While a lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same as the American great will need to ponder her next move now.