Novak Djokovic identifies Serena and Venus Williams dynamic he 'doesn't know if I would be able to do' as legends prepare for Wimbledon bows
Updated 30/06/2026 at 10:30 GMT+1
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Novak Djokovic, speaking on the eve of his latest Wimbledon campaign, has claimed that there is an angle of the returning Serena and Venus Williams' relationship that he does not know if he would "be able to do."
Highlights: Djokovic and Sinner survive first-round scares as Sabalenka breezes through
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Serena Williams, 44, is making her comeback at SW19 - in singles and in doubles - and has been one of the most talked-about topics before this year's All England Championships,
After "evolving away" from tennis in 2022, the younger Williams sister returned to play doubles with Victoria Mboko at Queen's, before taking a wild card to play in the women's singles at Wimbledon, and the doubles with Venus.
It means the world will be witness to another chapter of the sisters' incredible legacy, and one that has many admirers - including Djokovic.
The Serbian, at 39, is still going strong in his own career, and was asked in his pre-tournament press conference to summarise the imprint the sisters have made on the sport.
Djokovic said: "We have seen Will Smith's Oscar award, [for the] King Richard performance. People, who maybe don't necessarily follow tennis, got to know a little bit more about the Williams sisters' story. We kind of, from the tennis [world], knew that from before.
"It's truly inspiring, the way they were brought up, the way they grew up in a very challenging environment that was not necessarily very supportive of their tennis. They've grown up to be very resilient people. The sisters stayed together, supported each other."
Djokovic opened up on the aspect of their rivalry that he finds difficult to fathom.
He added: "Obviously Venus, being a bit older, made a breakthrough on the tour earlier than Serena. I don't honestly know how they managed to play versus each other in the finals of Grand Slams or any other tournament.
"I have two younger brothers that played tennis, professional but not at the highest level. There were one or two times that I could have played one of my brothers in singles. Luckily for both of us, that didn't happen. I just don't know how you're able to play your sibling on the court. I don't know if I would be able to do that.
"That's also another aspect to it, of their greatness, is how professional and competitive they were against each other, but loving and supporting of each other, as well. Their singles and doubles careers, Olympic Games, they won gold, silver, doubles. They've won everything you can possibly win in this sport.
"They transcend tennis as well. They went into different areas of life with business, fashion. Just the impact on the youth in America and worldwide has been tremendous. So big fan of both of them."
Djokovic makes his 2026 Wimbledon bow on Monday, taking on China's Wu Yubing last on Centre Court, while Serena will also be last on Centre Court on Tuesday when she faces Maya Joint in her first-round match.
Serena is a seven-time Wimbledon champion but hasn't played singles since the 2022 US Open.
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