The countdown is running: On Thursday evening local time, Serena Williams will make her comeback on a big stage. In the Indian Wells Night Session, the former number one will meet Zarina Diyas from Kazakhstan.
There is no watch in the Tennis Garden of Indian Wells yet. At least none showing the hours, minutes and seconds until Serena Williams returns to official tournament operation. The excitement is not only felt in every corner of the paradisiacal setting in the Coachella Valley. The only one who seems to remain calm in the enormous hype surrounding her person is the protagonist herself. Serena Williams looks relaxed, happy – and the 36-year-old knows only too well where she can get the energy for her first tournament match since the 28th minute. January 2017.
A good 13 months have passed since the Australian Open won the finals against her sister Venus. To be precise: 57 weeks and 5 days (a total of 404 days). Approximately 9696 hours (meaning 34,905,600 seconds) without an official singles match of perhaps the best female player of all time will have elapsed when Serena Williams enters the Center Court in the Californian desert on Thursday evening (19.00h OZ/Friday morning at 04.00h CET). Luck is supposed to bring Williams a golden “S” on her lapel, which she created herself. And that of course stands for “Serena”, but also for “strength” and “security”. Former number one called on her fans to wear an “S” during the match to support her.
In the past few days Williams also refuelled her strength with her six-month-old daughter Alexis Olympia, who is of course in Indian Wells. And of course she also wore the golden “S” on her romper suit. This could be seen when Mama Serena lay down next to the little girl after training and watched with amusement how the offspring handled a white miniature racquet. Right- or left-handed? It wasn’t quite clear yet.”With you today, the “S” stands for’ silly'”, Williams said to her daughter:”Silly” translates as “crazy” or “silly”. On Thursday evening it gets serious for Mom.