Serena Williams will return to the tennis court Thursday, International Women’s Day, six months after suffering a pulmonary embolism while giving birth.
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“This whole month I am playing tournaments in California and Florida – both my home states. Thursday, the day I play my very first match, marks International Women’s Day," Williams, one of the world's most successful tennis players, told the BBC Wednesday.
"My comeback could not have come on a better day and I decided I wanted to do something different, [to] let you all be apart of my long journey back [if you want of course!!] So I created my Serena Gold toned ‘S’ pin. When I am playing you can wear it and show support not only from me but also for my charity.”
The United States professional tennis player has been ranked no. 1 on eight separate times between 2002 and 2017 and holds the most Grand Slam titles in the history of the game. “I never questioned my return,” she said a day before her comeback match against Kazakh Zarina Diyas in the World Tennis Tour.
"I might not be at my best yet. But I’m getting there and every day is a new day and every day I should be getting better,” Williams told the BBC.
On Thursday, she will play in Indian Wells, California, which according to The Guardian is not among her favorite places to play. Williams won the title at the court in 1999 and 2001, before boycotting the event due to racial harassment.
Williams has been vocal about her excitement for returning to professional playing, but her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, recently told WTATennis.com “We do not know how much time she will need to get her best level back, and I think that we should give her the necessary time for that without having too much expectations at the start.”
Mouratoglou is, however, optimistic that Williams will be able to be back to her best by the French Open in May.
Roger Federer, who is also participating in the tournament and is currently ranked as the best male player, has also expressed his joy over Williams’ return.
“I’m just happy that both [her elder sister] Venus and Serena are still playing, because I thought a few years back when they were not well, they had injuries and worries, that they were going to leave the game much earlier,” Federer said after playing the Match for Africa charity on Tuesday.