Serena Williams at 44: What Still Makes Her Dangerous?

Serena Williams does not need to resemble her prime to become dangerous again. At Wimbledon, her serve, first-strike instincts and grass-court intelligence could matter more than her age—provided the draw does not force her to defend repeatedly. Alvin Owusu and Anastasia examine what Serena can realistically produce in her return to singles and why facing her involves more than solving her tennis. The first opponent must also manage the crowd, the occasion and the psychological weight of playing one of the sport’s defining champions. The discussion identifies Serena’s most favorable matchup profiles, the composed and mobile opponents who could expose her limitations, and why Wimbledon may benefit more from letting her build momentum than from producing an immediate blockbuster against Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka or Aryna Sabalenka. The episode also turns to Sabalenka’s position in the women’s game. Has her dominance been mistaken for inevitability, and has she demonstrated enough adaptability on grass to make a career Grand Slam feel assured? Chapters 00:00 Serena Williams Returns to Wimbledon 03:08 Why Serena Came Back 05:05 What Her Return Means to Tennis Fans 11:27 Can Serena Still Beat an Elite Player? 14:09 Why This Comeback Is Different From 2022 15:14 The Pressure of Playing Serena 19:37 Serena’s Best and Worst Matchups 23:17 Why Wimbledon Needs Serena 25:11 The Draw That Gives Her a Real Path 28:29 Depth Versus Greatness in Women’s Tennis 33:01 Should Serena Face Sabalenka Immediately? 41:32 Have We Already Seen Sabalenka’s Peak? 🎾 Follow & Listen 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow @bestofthreepodcast on Instagram #SerenaWilliams #Wimbledon #TennisAnalysis #WTA #ArynaSabalenka