Serena Williams stole the headlines when she announced her return to tennis at the Queen’s Club Championships.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion diverted attention away from Roland Garros when she confirmed her appearance at Queen’s alongside Victoria Mboko.
Williams hadn’t played a match since the 2022 US Open, although fans knew a comeback was on the cards ever since she re-entered the anti-doping testing pool last December.
What do you think Serena Williams needs to do to make her comeback successful?
Former Grand Slam semi-finalist turned broadcaster Andrea Petkovic has now delivered her verdict on Williams’ return, explaining why she refused to open a recent show with the news.
Andrea Petkovic refused to begin show with Serena Williams news while the French Open was taking place
During the latest episode of ‘Becker Petkovic‘, Boris Becker commented on the media’s coverage of Williams’ return.
“CNN always has about five minutes for Roland Garros and ten minutes for Serena Williams’ training or her doubles first round!” said Becker (translated from German).
Petkovic admitted coverage of Williams’ comeback bothered her.
“There’s one thing I have to say, [something] bothered me,” she said.
“I was hosting a show for this American TV station, and on the day they announced it [Williams’ return], they wanted me to open the show with that. I refused.
“I told them, there is a Grand Slam tournament just behind me, the players are dying in the heat.
“I refused to open the show with that. Serena is an absolute legend, but while a major is underway, I’m not opening the show with that.
“I’ll report on it at some point, but I want to open the show with the players who are working their butts off here.
“The Grand Slam wasn’t the most important thing anymore; Serena’s doubles comeback was more important.”
Petkovic believed the players competing at Roland Garros deserved the spotlight over Williams, who was preparing to play doubles at a WTA 500 event.
The German continued, sharing whether she believes Williams will play singles during her comeback.
“I think so,” said Petkovic.
“My opinion is that no person in this world, no athlete in the world, voluntarily goes back into these anti-doping protocols, especially not Serena Williams!
“You give up part of your freedom, your life. They know where you are every day at every hour and can visit you every day at any time. They usually come at five in the morning, just to f— with you. Apologies for my language, but it really is.
“No one does this, Boris, to just play a bit of doubles; you can’t tell me that. That’s my opinion.
“I think she’s playing doubles to see what her body is doing and if she can handle it.”
Petkovic then commented on Williams’ performance in her first match back.
How impressed were you with Serena Williams’ level?
A legendary return!
“I watched her match yesterday, and I have to say, Boris, she looked fantastic,” she said.
“Serving at 120 miles per hour. The stadium was packed, sold out down to the last seat.
“If she can transfer that to singles, I would never do it, but more power to her.”
Williams won her first match back in doubles in straight sets, but her partner, Mboko, suffered an injury in singles, forcing them to withdraw from the tournament.
The 44-year-old will return to action next week in Berlin, alongside Czechia’s Karolina Muchova.
Does Serena Williams deserve the attention she’s receiving?
The simple answer is yes.
Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion and arguably the greatest player of all time.
However, that doesn’t mean Petkovic was wrong.
Should Williams playing doubles have been the lead story in the middle of the French Open?
Probably not.
Especially when there were stories wherever you looked at Roland Garros this year.
From Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka’s shocking defeats to Mirra Andreeva and Alexander Zverev’s crowning moments, there was something for everyone.
Williams’ comeback deserved a mention, but leading any show during Roland Garros with that news may well have been slightly disrespectful to the athletes competing in extreme heat.
However, as we head into the Berlin Open and Wimbledon, Williams will be the centre of attention and rightly so, especially if she decides to play singles at the All England Club.
The 2026 Berlin Open begins on Monday, June 15, before Wimbledon starts on Monday, June 29.
