Serena Williams Returns After a Year Away From Tennis And Loses In The First Round Of Wimbledon - Is Retirement Next?

GLYN KIRK. Getty Images.

Serena Williams played her first singles match in over a year today at Wimbledon and lost to 115th ranked Harmony Tan in three grueling sets that lasted over three hours. I don't know about you, but watching that match was TOUGH. No disrespect meant to Harmony Tan, but Serena Williams should be cruising on by that player. It was just about the lowest level of tennis I've watched in some time. Some of those rallies were brutal on the eyes. 

Now you have to understand heading into this match she was going to be rusty and lacking fitness. All Serena had to her name in the last year were a few doubles matches last week with Ons Jabeur. The lack of prep showed today in the 3rd set where she was completely zapped of energy. 54 unforced errors. She was a shell of herself, but there's also no shame in that. Coming back from the leg injury she suffered last year, many didn't expect her to return to this point. 

So what's next for Serena? The dream of caching Margaret Court's 24 grand slam titles is over in my mind. Honestly I'd be surprised if that wasn't her final match ever at Wimbledon. At 40 years old and watching her level today, how can you expect her to hold up for another year and make it back there? I would feel very confident saying she'll retire for good at the US Open at the end of the summer. Just feels like the perfect good bye, no? 

On the men's side of the draw things are brutal. Nadal looked shaky tiday against Cerundulo. Berrettini and Hurkacz, who were two top tier players thought to be dark horses in this tournament, are out. Matteo having to withdraw this morning with covid was brutal considering how well he was playing. There are no Russians in the draw because of Wimbledon's rule to keep them out. Carlos Alcaraz is still here, but he came in with an elbow issue that might prevent him from a deep run. Tsitsipas sucks on grass and is destined for an early exit. Kyrgios is there and honestly has the draw to make a run, but he's Kyrgios. He'll probably beat Tsitsipas in the 3rd round and lose to a no name the next match after he loses his mind over a fan screaming during his serve. 

What am I getting at? Novak Djokovic at -155 to win Wimbledon is just about the best bet you can make right now in sports. The only way he loses is if he mentally implodes or covid gets him like those who have had to withdraw already. 

In the mean time, I've got a nice little boost in the Barstool sports book for tomorrow's matches. Let's make some cash