Serena Williams gave little away on Saturday regarding her return to Wimbledon after a year out of tennis, with the former champion claiming she did not even know when she decided to actually come back.
“The decision was before the French (Open), I think,” the former No. 1 now ranked outside the Top 1,000 said.
Williams last hit a ball in anger here 12 months ago when she slid on fresh grass after six games in the opening round and retired with a hamstring injury.
She then vanished from the Tour, concentrating on her business investments and attending Hollywood premieres and other events.
She dipped her toe back into tenis this week, playing doubles at Eastbourne with Ons Jabeuer, with the pair completing two matches.
“I didnt retire, I just needed time to heal physically and mentally,” she said. “I had no plans, to be honest.
“I didn’t know when or how I would come back. Wimbledon is such a great place to be, it kind of worked out.”
The 40-year-old dropped a big hint that her life on court may be limited, replaced by her business interests.
“I found out that other things were more a part of life now than tournaments.
“My venture (capital) company takes all of my extra time. I’m out of the office for the next few weeks, but I’ll be back.”
She ducked questions on retirement: “I don’t know if I will be playing my final Wimbledon … who knows where I’ll pop up next.”
