Can world number 1,204 win Wimbledon? Serena eyes greatest triumph

Jump for joy: Iga Swiatek poses with the Suzanne Lenglen trophy after winning the French Open

Ranked a lowly 1,204 in the world and without a competitive singles match in 12 months, Serena Williams will sweep into Wimbledon targeting what would be her greatest triumph.

The seven-time champion at the All England Club will also be chasing down a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

With her 41st birthday just three months away, Williams hasn't played a singles tie on tour since limping out of Wimbledon in tears in the first round against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in 2021.

"She is a great champion and I want to see her back."

The American star has been frustratingly marooned on 23 Slams since winning a seventh Australian Open in 2017 while pregnant.

- 'Doubt I'd return? Absolutely' -

"It felt good but I always try to stay semi-fit because you never know when you are going to play Wimbledon."

When she played her first Wimbledon in 1998, current world number one Iga Swiatek was still three years away from being born.

The 21-year-old Pole arrives at the tournament with a second French Open title secured and on a 35-match win streak.

It also bettered Serena's mark of 34.

Wimbledon will test her ability to keep the run going where last year's fourth round was her best performance even though she was junior champion in 2018.

The women's draw remains open with defending champion Ashleigh Barty having retired earlier this year.

The Japanese star, the world's highest-earning sportswoman, had already expressed reservations over taking part.

That was in response to the ban imposed on Russian and Belarusian players in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine.

None of the top five have ever made it to the semi-finals.

Second-ranked Anett Kontaveit and world number five Maria Sakkari have still to get past the last 32.

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